Saint Clair
Pioneer Block 17 Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2016 750ml

Library Collection

Winemaking: Grapes were de-stemmed into small stainless steel fermenters for a five-day cold soak to help maximise flavour and colour extraction. The juice was inoculated with specialised yeast to complete fermentation and then hand plunged and pumped over for gentle extraction of flavour colour and tannin. The young wine was kept in contact with skins and tasted daily until the right extraction and balance was achieved then gently pressed. Once settled it was then racked to 26 per cent new and 74 per cent seasoned French oak barrels where it underwent secondary fermentation (malolactic fermentation). After ageing on light lees the wine was blended, fined, balanced and carefully prepared for bottling.

Viticulture: This outstanding fruit was sourced from a single vineyard within the Gimblett Gravels wine growing district of Hawke’s bay. The vigour moderating, free draining gravel provides a superb base for this low cropping Merlot. This vineyard site has ideal ripening conditions for achieving the full aromatic profile and tannin structure that Merlot can give. The fruit was carefully monitored during ripening and harvested in the cool evening at maximum flavour maturity and physiological ripeness.

Wine Analysis: Alcohol 13.5% v/v Acidity 5.5g/litre pH 3.56

Winemakers: Hamish Clark, Matt Thomson and Kyle Thompson

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