Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir

Description

Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir is made by Saint Clair Family Estate. The company is considered to be one of the pioneers of viticulture in Marlborough: founders Neal and Judy Ibbotson began growing grapes in the area in 1978. After many years of selling grapes to other producers eventually, in 1994, Saint Clair Family Estate was founded and the family went into production for themselves. Today the business remains a family affair.

The grapes for the Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Pinot Noir are sourced from low cropping vineyards from the southern valleys of the Wairau Plain, including the Omaka Valley and the mouth of the Waihopai Valley. The grapes are vinified separately by vineyard or batches. The grapes undergoes 5 day period of cold maceration prior to fermentation. During fermentation the must was hand plunged six times daily and then up to eight times daily during the height of fermentation. After primary alcoholic fermentation the wine is racked off into a combination of stainless steel and a combination of new and used French oak barrels. The wine undergoes malolactic fermentation before the final blend is assembled.