The Auswine Forum

2007 SAINT CLAIR Pioneer Block 3 Sauvignon Blanc (NZ)

I long admire the Sauvignon Blanc grape and patiently wait each year for a great example. A good Sauvignon is multi-layered, complex and powerful with reasonable staying power and cellaring capabilities.

To me Chateau Margaux-Pavillon Blanc is greatest of all.

Every good vintage I find one or two great wines coming out of New Zealand. Fast rising star Saint Clair spells the end of the Cloudy Bay era with a whole new series of single vineyard wines.



Many took notice of last year’s Block 3 that was a beautiful wine with excellent structure and length. This year it is a more voluptuous and rich with superb sweetness and concentration.

Beautifully fragrant from the moment you crack it open and pour it into your glass. Gooseberries, ripe lemon peel and white stonefruits on the nose. Gloriously sweet and full palate that is very seductive. Complex, vibrant and superbly delicious. Fine mouth watering acidity on the finish. Absolutely fantastic single vineyard wine. Made from physically perfectly ripe grapes, showing no green characters whatsoever. Do not over chill and drink within 2 years. 94 points.

Cost AUD $33 and it’s hard to find. I only know one liquor store in Sydney that has it along with Block 6 and 8, which are next on my list to try but I don’t think I’ll ever find Block 1, 2, 4,11 and I’m hoping that the crown jewel, the Reserve, is still around.

Cheers,
Attila

Tasted: December 2007

I agree with Attila - this is an excellent wine. Despite my general aversion to Sauv Blanc, if you want the quintessential Marlborough example, these guys do it brilliantly. They've fast eclipsed Villa Maria and Astrolabe as the premiere Sauv producer, cleaning up at show circuits nationally and internationally.

I don't find the sweetness in the wine that Attila does (<2g res from memory?), but the intense flavours on the palate (which erupt like bombs), mellow acidity, the tactile nature of the texture and long finish make for exceptional drinking.

Thumbs up.

Thanks for the notes Attila, allthough I have a similar problem with Sauvignon Blanc from NZ I seem to be in the minority though.

As Atilla has noted, Sauvignon producers seem to have there time in the sun. St Clair has been the front rank producer for 2-3 years now arguably longer.

The block wines are always extremely good and if you get the right day, right temp, right food sitting outside on a warm afternoon there is hardly a better match.

We no doubt will chug through many bottles of them this summer

Craig(NZ) wrote:We no doubt will chug through many bottles of them this summer

Of course you do!
At NZD $25 per bottle as opposed to AUD $33 it's even easier for you.
By the way, a quick tasting note would be appreciated on Block 6 and 8 please.

Cheers,
Attila

I know a good website with notes on a few St Clairs and others, try this SBlanc write up

http://www.kiwiwinefanclub.co.nz/content/view/290/42/

Cost AUD $33 and it’s hard to find. I only know one liquor store in Sydney that has it along with Block 6 and 8, which are next on my list to try but I don’t think I’ll ever find Block 1, 2, 4,11 and I’m hoping that the crown jewel, the Reserve, is still around.

Hmmm...I wonder if different blocks go to different export markets? Here in the U.S., I've seen the 2007 Block 1 and 2 and the Reserve, but none of the higher numbers.

The Block 2 and Reserve are top-notch--haven't tasted the Block 1 yet.