Kevin's comments:  The Omaka Valley vineyards in Marlborough are renowned for the production of intensely flavoured Chardonnay grapes and this is no exception.

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 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.

Approximately 60% of production is exported.  Just 3 years after bottling its first vintage, and only 2 years since it began seeking overseas markets, Saint Clair Estate Wines has won a Tradenz export commendation for its contribution to foreign exchange earnings through sales to 10 countries.

SAINT CLAIR OMAKA RESERVE  CHARDONNAY

Grapes:            100% Chardonnay grapes             

Note:                The Saint Clair vineyard in the Omaka Valley, Marlborough, is particularly suited to growing intensely flavoured Chardonnay grapes.

Winemaking:     The Mendoza grapes were selectively hand picked, chilled for 24 hours and whole bunch pressed. The juice was racked and inoculated with specific yeast then transferred to new and once used (50/50) American oak barriques for 8 months fermentation and malolactic fermentation.  The wine was then blended with similarly treated, 30% Clone 6 Chardonnay from Saint Clair’s Awatere and Rapaura vineyards.  This added additional complexity and elegance to the wine.

Serve:  Chilled to accompany strongly flavoured food.

Taste:   A mouth filling wine with huge fruit flavour and a lingering creamy oak finish.  Will continue to develop for five years or more from vintage.