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Wine Description
The Story
The Sawcut vineyard, is located in a pioneering grape-growing region, the Ure Valley, about 50 km south of the Blenheim town ship (or half way between Kaikoura and Blenheim). It has exceptionally high limestone soils, which reflect in a chalky, mineral character to the wine. The vineyard has a unique microclimate with the number of degree growing days equivalent to if not higher than Blenheim in most years.
Wine Information
VITICULTURE:
The fruit was sourced from a single vineyard on free draining, river valley soils. This block is one of the earliest vineyard sites to be harvested. The vines are Burgundian clone 95.
WINEMAKING:
The fruit was hand-picked when it reached full physiological ripeness and maximum flavour maturity. At the winery the fruit was whole bunch pressed to ensure the best fruit flavours were preserved. After settling, the juice was inoculated with selected yeast strains. The wine was fermented in French oak barriques, a quarter of which was new oak. The wine then went through malolactic fermentation, followed by ten months ageing on yeast lees with regular stirring. The wine was then carefully blended, stabilised and prepared for bottling.
COLOUR:
Pale gold.
AROMA:
Lifted aromas of nectarine and white peach with a hint of spice.
PALATE:
An elegant palate with a chalky minerality underlying the luscious stone fruit and spice notes.
CELLARING:
Drinking well now and will continue to improve and reward with careful cellaring over the next five years.
ANALYSIS:
Alcohol: 13% v/v, Titratable Acidity: 5.9g/litre, Residual Sugar: 1.9g/L, pH: 3.48.
FOOD MATCH:
Served in Saint Clair’s Vineyard Kitchen with grilled lemon scented chicken with a puy lentil, green bean and spinach salad drizzled with minted yogurt.