2022 Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

Colour: Pale green. Aroma: Pungent and expressive with concentrated aromas of white currant and passionfruit with a green herbaceous thread. Palate: Pure and focused with layers of passionfruit, jalapeno and crushed herb. The palate is generous and refreshing with salty mineral notes and a long lingering finish. Ageing potential: Drinking beautifully now and will be at its best over the next three years.

The juice was pressed off immediately to minimize skin contact and juice deterioration following harvesting. After settling the juice was fermented in stainless steel using a selected yeast strain. The fermentation was carried out at cool temperatures to retain varietal characters and freshness. This parcel was identified by our winemaking team during comprehensive blind tastings as the very best batch of wine produced for the 2022 vintage and therefore bottled as the Saint Clair Wairau Reserve.

Viticulture:
Proximity to the ocean sees stronger maritime influences on the vineyards in the lower Wairau Valley where fruit for the Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc was grown. The daytime temperatures are warm, facilitating ripening, while the night temperatures are typically cooler than the central and upper parts of the Wairau Valley. This promotes increased hang time and flavour development. Nutrient rich soils deposited over time due to non erosive flooding (prior to stop bank flood protection being introduced) have formed even and fertile sites. The nutrient hungry Sauvignon Blanc vines utilise this fertility to produce extremely concentrated flavours and aromas.