SAINT CLAIR ESTATE
DOCTORS CREEK PINOT NOIR

Neal and Judy Ibbotson were pioneers in the Marlborough wine industry, first planting vineyards in the valley’s unique climate and soils in 1978 and then establishing Saint Clair Estate in 1994.  They own and developed 100 acres of vineyards in four different Marlborough locations chosen specifically for the attributes of their individual locations and ability to produce top quality grapes.

Their wines received immediate success with three medals from three wines in their first competition.

Premium quality grapes, produced from vines that are now fully mature, combined with the proven experience of winemakers Kim Crawford and Matt Thomson, produce elegant, world class wines.

SAINT CLAIR PINOT NOIR DOCTORS CREEK RESERVE

Grapes:           100% Estate grown Pinot Noir

Vineyard:        Vine spacing 3mx1.8m – Canopy Height: 2m -   Canopy training system includes both
Management:  Split Trellising and Vertical Shoot Positioning.  Canopy management aim is maximum light interception, with maximum exposure on leaves and fruit.  Leaf plucking, trimming and shoot thinning assists achieve this.  Open canopy assists air flow and exposure to sunlight and reduces the need for sprays.  No insecticide sprays are used and fungal disease sprays are applied only when required by disease pressure build up.

Winemaking: The grapes are harvested at night by hand to minimise oxidation and are then transported to the winery and normally within half an hour of harvesting the grapes are in the press.  The grapes are fermented to dryness with frequent manual pump-overs. Part of the wine is aged in new and 1 and 2 year old French barriques for 6 months.

Colour:    Crimson red

Aroma:    A bouquet of ripe cherries and red berry fruits that evolve from the glass

Taste: A very elegant wine showing racy cherry flavours, subtle toasty oak and has a strong varietal character combined with soft tannins.