Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay

Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay has aromas of fragrant peach, toasted hazelnut and cinnamon spice with smoky nuances. The palate is round and full with nectarine and a hint of spice. Drinking beautifully now, this wine will continue to evolve and reward over the next five years with careful cellaring.

The fruit was carefully harvested, partially handpicked and whole bunch pressed to ensure the vineyard characters and fruit flavours were preserved. The juice was fermented in American oak barrels, fifty percent new barrels, using selected yeast strains. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by ten months aging on yeast lees with regular stirring. Only the best barrels were selected for the Omaka Reserve Chardonnay.

Fruit for the Omaka Reserve was sourced from Saint Clair’s vineyards in Marlborough’s Omaka and Awatere valleys.. A combination of warm days, cool nights and clay based soils produce the finest, most flavoursome Chardonnay. The fruit is a blend of Chardonnay clones; predominantly Mendoza and Burgundian Clone 95.The vines were monitored carefully during ripening and fruit was harvested at maximum flavour maturity and physiological ripeness.

Saint Clair Family Estate is owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, viticulture pioneers in Marlborough since 1978. Grapes were originally supplied to local wine companies; however a desire to extend the quality achieved in the vineyard through to the finished wine led to the establishment of Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994.

The Saint Clair name originates from the vineyard property, first settled by the Sinclair family. Pioneer James Sinclair built one of the first homes in Blenheim and was closely associated with the early development of the town. Over time the name of the property reverted to the original Saint Clair.

Neal Ibbotson combines his extensive expertise in viticultural with the talent of one of New Zealand's leading winemaking teams, led by Matt Thomson and Hamish Clark. From 1994 when wines from the first vintage all won medals including gold, the name Saint Clair has been synonymous with quality and its award-winning record continues today.

http://www.saintclair.co.nz

Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay - Hay Wines