Saint Clair Rapaura Reserve Merlot 2008

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Our Price:  £17.95Earn 17 Loyalty Points Bottle or Case:    Single Bottle:  £17.95  Case of 6:  £107.70  Case of 12:  £215.40 Producer:  Saint Clair Grape Varieties:  100% Merlot Optimum Drinking:  Within 5 years Wine Style:  Ricj fruity red with a minty finish Alcohol by Volume:  13.5% Country:  New Zealand Availability:

Saint Clair Rapaura Reserve Merlot 2008

Neal and Judy Ibbotson were pioneers in the Marlborough wine industry, first planting vineyards in the valley's unique climate and soils in 1978 and then establishing Saint Clair Estate in 1994. They own and developed 100 hectares of vineyards in six different Marlborough locations chosen specifically for the attributes of their individual locations and ability to produce top quality grapes.

Their wines received immediate success with three medals from three wines in their first competition.

Premium quality grapes, produced from vines that are now fully mature, combined with the proven experience of winemaker Matt Thomson, produce elegant, world class wines

Grapes: 100% Merlot from Saint Clair's Estate vineyard at Rapaura, one of the warmest in the district.

Winemaking: A selected free draining portion of Rapaura Road vineyard, was given special viticultural treatment. Following crushing the fruit was cold soaked for 3 days then warmed, inoculated for fermentation and given frequent manual pump-overs. Before dryness, the wine was pressed, and then racked to oak, where it went through malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for 12 months in American oak barriques (50% new) on lees to give complexity and richness

Colour: Deep ruby with purple highlights.

Serve: At room temperature to accompany grilled and roast red meats, pasta dishes and cheese.

Taste: Intense nuances of plums with notes of vanilla and hazelnuts. A rich palate full of red cherry and plum flavours and silky smooth texture with a minty lingering finish.