Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Syrah 2020

Region and Vineyards

The fruit for the Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Syrah 2020 comes from a single vineyard on Omahu Road in the Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district, located within the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand's North Island. This zone is renowned for its free-draining gravel soils, deposited by the Ngaruroro River, which restrict vine vigour and result in small, flavour-concentrated berries.

The vineyard's flat topography and gentle slope provide optimal sun exposure, while the warm, sheltered microclimate and cool nights support full phenolic ripening without excessive sugar accumulation. These site-specific factors contribute to a Syrah of perfumed aromatics, deep colour, and layered complexity, affirming the region's growing reputation for world-class Syrah.

Winemaking

After harvest at peak flavour maturity, the grapes were cold-soaked for four days to enhance colour stability and extract aromatic intensity. The must was then inoculated for primary fermentation, with hand plunging up to four times daily to manage tannin structure and flavour extraction.

Once fermentation was complete, the wine was pressed and transferred to French oak barrels for maturation—31% new and 69% seasoned oak. During the 10-month élevage, the wine underwent full malolactic fermentation, rounding the acidity and refining the mouthfeel. Final blending and gentle bottling preparation ensured purity and precision. The wine displays a 12.5% alcohol, 6.2 g/L total acidity, and a pH of 3.50, offering freshness alongside depth.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Dense ruby core with a thin purple rim
• Aroma: Intense boysenberry and wild blackberry aromas with integrated toasty oak
• Palate: Full-bodied and velvety, delivering rich dark berry fruit, a layered and supple texture, and lingering spice on the finish

Did you know?

The Gimblett Gravels is one of only a few terroirs in the world defined by soil type rather than geographical boundaries. Wines labeled from this region must meet strict criteria to ensure authenticity and regional typicity—this makes Block 17 a benchmark Syrah from a protected appellation-like zone.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Slow-cooked lamb tagine with ras el hanout: The wine's spice and structure enhance the aromatic intensity of the dish.
• Chargrilled venison with blackberry jus: Echoes the fruit profile while the tannins cut through the richness.
• Dark chocolate and cherry torte: A bold and indulgent pairing that plays on the wine's berry and spice notes.
• Sichuan duck with five-spice glaze: Matches the Syrah's exotic side and maintains balance with its silky texture.

History of Saint Clair

Saint Clair Family Estate was founded in 1994 by Neal and Judy Ibbotson, Marlborough viticulture pioneers who had been growing grapes in the region since 1978. Initially supplying fruit to other producers, they eventually decided to create their own label to craft wines that fully reflected the potential of their meticulously managed vineyards.

The estate was named "Saint Clair" after the original name given to the property by one of Marlborough's earliest European settlers. The winery quickly gained international acclaim, especially for its Sauvignon Blancs, and helped elevate Marlborough's global reputation in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Today, Saint Clair remains family-owned and operated, with Neal Ibbotson still actively involved. Winemaker Kyle Thompson, with over two decades of experience, leads the cellar, focusing on purity, precision, and site expression across all varieties.

Saint Clair was one of the first New Zealand wineries to adopt a parcel-specific vinification strategy, isolating distinct vineyard sites and bottling them individually under the "Pioneer Block" label. This philosophy of terroir differentiation has become a hallmark of the estate's style.

Region and Vineyards

Saint Clair's vineyard holdings and grower partnerships span across Marlborough's diverse subregions: the Wairau Valley, Awatere Valley, and Southern Valleys, with select sites in Hawke's Bay for Syrah and Bordeaux varieties.

In Marlborough, the estate's sites range from the cooler, wind-influenced Awatere Valley, known for crisp acidity and herbal notes, to the richer soils of the Southern Valleys, yielding concentration and depth. The Pioneer Block series showcases individual vineyard plots, chosen for their distinctive soil types, microclimates, and varietal expression.

All vineyard practices follow sustainable viticulture, and several blocks are certified under New Zealand's Sustainable Winegrowing programme. The combination of low yields, canopy precision and site specificity results in wines of both intensity and elegance.

Wine Range of Saint Clair

Saint Clair produces a wide portfolio of wines, structured into several quality tiers:

• Vicar's Choice: Fresh, fruit-driven wines offering excellent value, often early-drinking styles.
• Premium Range: Includes varietal classics from Marlborough with generous fruit and texture.
• Pioneer Block: Small-parcel, single-vineyard wines showcasing site specificity and regional nuance.
• Reserve Wines: Flagship bottlings, such as the Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir and Barrique Sauvignon Blanc, selected from the best barrels and blocks each vintage.
• Origin Series: Balanced, versatile wines made with precision and Marlborough typicity in mind.

Saint Clair is best known for its Sauvignon Blanc, but also excels with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah and sparkling wines, all marked by purity and varietal clarity.

Did you know?

Saint Clair has earned more than 20 trophies and over 500 gold medals internationally, making it one of New Zealand's most awarded wineries. It was also among the first to plant and vinify Syrah in the Gimblett Gravels—a gravelly subregion of Hawke's Bay now considered a New World benchmark for Rhône-style reds.