Kevin's comments: Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc has a delicate aroma of tropical fruits with a subtle herbaceous hint and an intense flavour of ripe passion fruit through to a clean and fresh finish.

Chateau Tasting Notes

SAINT CLAIR ESTATE, MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND

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 the 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's production has lifted from 4,000 cases in 1994 to 23,000 in 1998 and is continuing to grow.

SAINT CLAIR SAUVIGNON BLANC

Grapes:             100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes from Saint Clair's vineyards in the Wairau and Awatere Valleys of Marlborough.

Winemaking:     The grapes were harvested very early in the morning to minimise oxidation and extraction prior to immediate pressing with minimum skin contact.  The clear juice was inoculated with selected yeasts and fermented dry in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks.  It was chilled and racked off yeast lees before being stabilised and bottled.

Serve:               Chilled as an aperitif or to accompany white meats, seafood and light pasta dishes.

Taste:               A delicate aroma of tropical fruits with a subtle herbaceous hint and an intense flavour of ripe passion fruit through to a clean and fresh finish.  The aromatic characteristic of the grapes from the Wairau Valley blend well with the weight of the Awatere Sauvignon.  The combination is more complex and better than the individual components.