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Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
- Grapes Pinot Noir 100%
- Country New Zealand
- Region: Marlborough
- Abv 13.5 %
- Body Value: C (A is light, E is full-bodied)
Residual Sugar: 0
Contains Sulphites: Yes
Vegetarian/Vegan: Yes/No
Milk/Eggs: No/Yes
Organic: No
Biodynamic: No - Case size 6 / 75cl
- Winemaker: Hamish Clark & Kyle Thompson
- Closure Screwcap
- An elegant and aromatic Pinot Noir with ripe, dark, bramble fruit notes and fine toasty aromas. Fresh red fruits are enveloped by a rounded structure, fine tannins, and beautifully balanced acidity, which complements the lifted oak spice on the finish. A lower yield characterized 2021 as it was a very dry year. Springtime flowering conditions were not favourable, with cool weather leading to a large reduction in yield. Additionally, late spring frosts affected small pockets of vineyards, resulting in smaller bunch weights, smaller berries, and lower numbers of berries. However, although the quantity was down, the quality was excellent. Early March produced typical Marlborough weather of warm days and cool nights, providing perfect ripening conditions.
The grapes underwent a cool, five-day pre-fermentation maceration for optimal flavour extraction and enhanced colour stability. Fermentation took place with selected yeasts, during which the must was hand plunged up to six times daily. The young wine was pressed and racked off the gross lees into a combination of 33% new French oak and older seasoned 225-litre oak barriques, where malolactic conversion occurred. Barrel maturation lasted 11 months before being deftly blended and prepared for bottling.
An elegant and aromatic Pinot Noir with ripe dark bramble fruit notes and fine toasty aromas. Fresh red fruits are enveloped by a rounded structure, fine tannins and beautifully balanced acidity, which complements the lifted oak spice on the finish.
Country | New Zealand |
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Brand | Saint Clair |
Vintage | 2021 |
Bottles Per Case | 6 |
Bottle Size | 75 |
2 cases 10% off | No |
Winery | The grapes are sourced from the single vineyard "Bull Block" in the Omaka Valley. This flat vineyard site is named after the Jersey Stud bulls that previously grazed here. The vineyard is 100% planted with clone 10/5. Originally imported from Switzerland, this clone was responsible for some of the first vineyard plantings in regions such as Central Otago. It is a late-ripening clone, which is ideally suited to this vineyard site, and the late-harvesting allows for a greater intensity of flavours to be built while maintaining acidity for freshness and balance. While much of the region is planted with Burgundy clones, this Swiss clone uniquely expresses Pinot Noir. The soils consist of silt loam over clay-loam subsoils. Warm days give way to cool nights, and this diurnal temperature swing, coupled with the clay-rich vigour moderating soils, encourages the vine to produce small berries of concentrated juice. |