Saint Clair, ‘Origin’ Merlot, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand 2022

Neal and Judy Ibbotson were pioneers in the Marlborough wine industry, first planting vineyards in the valley in 1978 and then establishing Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994. They own 160 hectares of vineyard in 10 different Marlborough locations chosen specifically for the attributes of their individual ‘terroir’ and ability to produce top quality grapes.

Neal Ibbotson combines his extensive expertise in viticulture with the talent of one of New Zealand’s leading winemaking teams. The vines are sustainably cultivated and the estate holds the Sustainable Wines of New Zealand certification. Since 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.

The outstanding fruit was sourced predominantly from a single vineyard within the Gimblett Gravels area of Hawkes Bay. The vigour moderating, free draining, gravel soil provides a superb base for the low yielding Merlot. These vineyard sites have ideal ripening conditions for achieving the ripe berry aromatics and balanced tannin structure that Saint Clair Merlot exhibits.

A delicious Merlot displaying savoury aromas of olive, cedar and spice. layered with flavours of dark berried fruits and black plum through to a lightly spiced and toasty finish.

saintclair.co.nz