Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 '43 Degrees' Sauvignon Blanc is a rich and complex wine with a perfect balance of fruit and oak. The grapes for this wine come from a carefully selected vineyard block located in the Wairau Valley, New Zealand. The wine has a pale straw color with aromas of citrus and stone fruits, complemented by subtle oak undertones. On the palate, it is fresh and crisp with a creamy texture. The flavors of white peach and lime are balanced with a subtle oak toasted finish. This wine has a long and persistent finish that is sure to leave a lasting impression. It pairs well with seafood, chicken dishes, and salads. It’s a great choice for any occasion.

Tasting Notes

A distinctly Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, with green notes of gooseberry, nettle and blackcurrant bud. The fresh, vibrant palate layers blackcurrant with tropical passion fruit, white peach and a mineral, slightly salty richness which leads to a long, lingering finish.

About the Winery

The Saint Clair Family Estate was established in 1994 by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, in Blenheim, New Zealand. Neal and Judy were viticultural experts already when they started this label. They had learnt the art of winemaking and its techniques from the premium most wine region of New Zealand, Marlborough. Within a few years, this brand has grown tremendously. Today, the group’s Sauvignon Blanc wine is considered as the best in entire New Zealand.

The fruits for Saint Clair wines are grown in some of the select vineyards in the Marlborough region. These include:

Doctor’s Creek Vineyard – Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir are grown on the clayey soils here.

Awatere Valley Vineyard – Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are grown here in plenty, thanks to the sandstone and mineral-rich soils.

Rapaura Vineyard – The alluvial soil here is ideal for growing flavourful Merlot varietals.

Omaka Vineyard – The warm days and cool nights, along with the clayey soils, help to grow the Mendoza Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varietals here.

Ben Morven Vineyard – The gravel-covered clayey soils contains vines grown on the slopes. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir are grown here in plenty.

Vineyard Kitchen Block – The stone and sand alluvium soil of this place makes it ideal for growing Clone 95 Chardonnay and Clone 5 Pinot Noir varietals.

Strip Block Vineyard – Known for its clayey soils, the Pinot Noir grown here is known as one of the best in the Marlborough region.

Plateau Vineyard – Located in one of the most popular wine regions of the world, Hawke’s Bay, this vineyard is way warmer than the Marlborough vineyards.

Therefore, it is ideal for growing concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier and Malbec. Today, the children of Neal and Judy take care of the packaging, sales, marketing and other promotional activities to ensure that the legacy is carried forward with the same passion as before.

https://www.saintclair.co.nz

Find out more