Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022

Pure and concentrated with layers of passion fruit, jalapeno and chopped herbs. The palate is generous and refreshing with salty mineral notes and a long, lingering finish.

Color:

Pale green.

Aroma:

Pungent and expressive with concentrated aromas of white currant and passion fruit with a green herbaceous thread.

Palate:

Pure and concentrated with layers of passion fruit, jalapeno and chopped herbs. The palate is generous and refreshing with salty mineral notes and a long, lingering finish.

Aging potential:

It drinks beautifully now and will be at its best in the next three years.

Enologist:

Stewart Maclennan

Vinification:

The juice was squeezed immediately to minimize skin contact and juice spoilage after harvest. After decanting, the must was fermented in stainless steel using a selected yeast strain. Fermentation was conducted at cool temperatures to maintain varietal characters and freshness. This parcel was identified by our winemaking team during comprehensive blind tastings as the best batch of wine produced for the 2022 vintage and then bottled as Saint Clair Wairau Reserve.

Viticulture:

Proximity to the ocean sees strong maritime influences on the vineyards of the lower Wairau Valley, where the fruit for Sauvignon Blanc Saint Clair Wairau Reserve was grown. Daytime temperatures are warm, facilitating ripening, while nighttime temperatures are generally cooler than in the central and upper parts of the Wairau Valley. This promotes increased hang time and flavor development. Nutrient-rich soils deposited over time by non-erosive flooding (before the introduction of flood protection on the banks was discontinued) formed uniform and fertile sites. The nutrient-starved Sauvignon Blanc vines use this fertility to produce extremely concentrated flavors and aromas.