Saint Clair Pioneer Block 22 Barn Block Pinot Noir 2018

Colour: Dark red core with a purple-tinged rim. Aroma: Aromas of dark forest berries, blackberry and blueberries with spiced liquorice and cedar notes. Palate: A rich dark palate of ripe forest fruit and spiced plum flavours with a touch of fresh coffee. The rich silky structure and fine-grained tannins lead to a long toasty finish. Ageing: Perfect for drinking immediately this wine will continue to develop for at least another five years from vintage date and beyond.

Region: The foot of the Wither Hills in Dry Hills Estate, south-east of Blenheim. Terroir: Soils: Deep, vigour-moderating clay. Topography: Flat, even land. Climate: A relatively warm site, with high diurnal temperature change.

The fruit was harvested when it 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. A specially selected yeast was used to carry out the primary alcoholic fermentation during which the fermenting must be 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 22 per cent new French oak and older seasoned 225-litre oak barriques. During maturation, the barrels were regularly tasted until the right balance was achieved (10 months). During the time in oak, the young wine completed malolactic fermentation. The wine was then carefully extracted from oak, blended and prepared for bottling.