SAINT CLAIR PIONEER BLOCK 15 STRIP BLOCK PINOT NOIR 2022

Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Saint Clair's specialist Pioneer Block range comprises small-parcel wines handcrafted to reflect the unique influence of terroir on grape varieties grown within the same region. The Strip Block is named after a unique, narrow strip of aged, devigorating soils at the base of the southern foothills of the lower Waihopai Valley.

Perfumed red berry aromas combine with notes of charry oak. Elegant with bright red cherry and ripe red berry fruit flavours. The palate has a rich, round mouthfeel with silky tannin and a touch of charry oak on the finish. Predominantly sourced from a single vineyard near the Waihopai Valley using clone 115 grapes.

The fruit was harvested when it had reached full physiological ripeness and maximum flavour maturity. At the winery the fruit was held cold for five days prior to fermentation to help extract maximum flavour and to enhance colour stability. Specially selected cultured yeast were used to carry out the primary alcoholic fermentation during which the fermenting must was hand plunged up to six times daily at the peak of fermentation. At dryness the wine was pressed, then racked off gross lees to a mixture of 25 per cent new French oak and older seasoned 225 litre oak barriques."

Reviews for the 2021 vintage below…

5 Stars & Top 5 Cuisine NZ Pinot Noir Tasting, April 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Deeply coloured with black and red cherry aromas, lifted bright tomato-leaf characters and ‘stemmy’ whole-bunch aromas on the nose. The palate is bold with dark rich juicy fruit and chewy, yet silky, mouth-coating tannins alongside bright acid. A complex and intriguing pinot."

5 Stars & Top 5 Cuisine NZ Pinot Noir Tasting, April 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"An almost purple-red in the glass with brooding dark florals coming through the nose and onto the palate alongside bright cherries and raspberries that shine through the concentrated and complex dark fruits present. The acid is juicy and the tannins are grainy but carry and give this wine fantastic length."

93/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, June 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Moderately concentrated wine with redcurrant, blackberry, cherry, anise and mixed spice flavours. Accessible pinot noir that is nicely structured with a pleasantly dry and lengthy finish."

4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper, August 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Grown in the lower reaches of the Waihopai Valley and barrel-matured, the 2021 vintage is bright ruby, with a fragrant, fresh bouquet. Mouthfilling and smooth, it has strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, nutty and savoury notes adding complexity, and supple tannins. A graceful, still very youthful, harmonious red, it should break into full stride 2025+."