Saint Clair Family Estate demonstrates premier Pinot Noir capability
Wednesday 7 September 2011, 9:23AM
By Saint Clair Family Estate
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When the results were recently announced from two of the most prestigious international wine competitions hosted in New Zealand, it was clear that Saint Clair Family Estate of Marlborough is a leading producer of Pinot Noir. Saint Clair’s success places Marlborough on the map nationally and internationally, not just as a first-class Sauvignon Blanc producing area, but as a premier Pinot Noir region.
The Romeo Bragato Wine Awards 2011, commemorating its 17th year, is specifically held to acknowledge the industry’s wine growers. They are seldom recognised for their viticultural endeavours, which are such a critical proponent of the success of any wine. Saint Clair’s Pinot Noir performed exceptionally, winning not only two Pure Gold medals for the Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Pinot Noir 2010, and the Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2010 but also carrying home the Champion Pinot Noir Trophy, and Reserve Wine of the Show Trophy for the former Pinot Noir.
“It’s a combination of a number of years of refining our winemaking and the best year that we’ve ever seen for Pinot Noir in Marlborough that has seen Saint Clair attain this level of success,” winemaker Matt Thomson explains. “The results are a testament to the dedicated Saint Clair team, particularly Hamish Clark and Kyle Thompson working with the reds.”
The New Zealand International Wine Show 2011 also recognised Saint Clair’s Pinot Noir, decorating Saint Clair Pioneer Block wines from the 2010 vintage - Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum, Pioneer Block 16 Awatere, and Pioneer Block 22 Barn Block Pinot Noir with gold medals. The trophies were announced at the awards dinner on Saturday 3rd September 2011.
Matt Thomson proclaims that he is concerned that Marlborough Pinots achieve more in wine shows when judged blind en masse as opposed to being judged blind separately by region.
“Marlborough has been producing some of the country’s best Pinots for a number of years, and it is deserving of more recognition by journalists and consumers alike,” he says.
“The fact that these Pinot Noirs are still available at reasonable prices is a statement of owner Neal Ibbotson’s intent to over-deliver on customer expectations at every tier.”
The whole Saint Clair team feel this is a great result for the promotion and recognition of Pinot Noir produced in the Marlborough region.
Saint Clair Pinot Noir Success
Romeo Bragato Awards 2011
Champion Reserve Wine of Show Trophy
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Pinot Noir 2010
Champion Pinot Noir Trophy
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Pinot Noir 2010
Pure Gold
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Pinot Noir 2010
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2010
New Zealand International Wine Show 2011
Gold
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Pinot Noir 2010
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 16 Awatere Pinot Noir 2010
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 22 Barn Block Pinot Noir 2010
Other Recent Saint Clair Pinot Noir Success
Trophy: Nova Scotia Port of Wines Tasting Competition (Canada) 2011
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Pinot Noir 2009
Top New Zealand Wine
Trophy: Decanter World Wine Awards, London 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Pinot Noir 2007
New Zealand Pinot Noir over £10
Trophy: Royal Hobart International Wine Show Australia 2010
Saint Clair Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009
Champion Pinot Noir
Trophy: International Wine Challenge 2009
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2007
Champion NZ Pinot Noir Trophy
Champion Marlborough Pinot Noir Trophy