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Soft, forward palate showing ripe, berried fruit characters, matched by toasty oak and ripe, soft tannins through to a lingering finish. Outstanding quality.
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 MARLBOROUGH RAPAURA RESERVE MERLOT
Grapes: 100% Merlot from Saint Clair's Estate vineyard at Rapaura, one of the warmest in the district.
Winemaking: A selected free draining portion of Rapaura Road vineyard, was given special viticultural treatment. Following crushing the fruit was cold soaked for 3 days then warmed, inoculated for fermentation and given frequent manual pump-overs. Before dryness, the wine was pressed, and then racked to oak, where it went through malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 12 months in American oak barriques (50% new) on lees to give complexity and richness
Colour: Deep ruby with purple highlights.
Serve: At room temperature to accompany grilled and roast red meats, pasta dishes and cheese.
Taste: Intense nuances of plums with notes of vanilla and hazelnuts. A rich palate full of red cherry and plum flavours and silky smooth texture with a minty lingering finish.
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