2020 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot

Saint Clair is named after James Sinclair, who was responsible for the first settlements in Blenheim, New Zealand, home of the winery in the South Island. Founded in 1978, the family business is one of the pioneers of viticulture in Marlborough. That is why the link with pioneer James Sinclair was quickly made. Saint Clair owns over 270 hectares of vineyards in Marlborough in the South Island and in Hawke's Bay in the North Island.

The Pioneer Block series is made from outstanding small fruit plots identified by Saint Clair winemakers from selected specialty vineyards with a unique terroir in the Marlborough region. Each wine has subtle stylistic differences and carries a name linked to the origin of the vineyard that tells a story.

The grapes for the Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot come from the select vineyard 'Plateau' in Gimblett Gravels, a sub-area of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The soils here contain a lot of pebbles, which ensure good drainage. Both grape varieties are vinified separately from each other until blending. After a four-day cold skin soak, fermentation takes place to obtain color and flavour. During fermentation, everything is done to increase the concentration. The 'hat' (the shells that float to the top) is immersed four times a day. After fermentation, the wine is aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 42% of which are new oak. In the glass, the Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot is a deep ruby red with black currants, plums, cedar, violets, spices in the nose. On the palate, red Saint Clair is full and rich with notes of wood. Good tannin structure and complex finish. Delicious with a flame-grilled steak with garlic butter and roasted beetroot.