WTN: For all of you NZ Sauvignon Blanc fans, don't let this one slip by....

I tried a bottle and snapped up two cases. Discounters have it for as low as $12 a bottle -- it ought to be a crime:

2006 Saint Clair, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, $15. This stunner grabs you from the very start with its intense gooseberry and passionfruit aromas. Crisp in the mouth, the flavors are every bit as intense – passionfruit, limes and grapefruit flavors abound. New Zealand has raised the bar on Sauvignon Blanc with this one. Buy by the case; 93/94.

[James Roscoe]

Thanks for the recommendation!

Carole liked it so much that she wanted me to order more -- up to four cases now. I have to bogart the WA allocation before Jenise gets on the trail.

[James Roscoe]

How many cases are being imported? Is it a small producer? That doesn't bode well for us on the East Coast.

They made 78,000 cases, so availability should be quite good. I wish more of their Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc made it here.

Thanks for the tip, Randy. Only five retailers listed on Wine Searcher Pro this morning, but one in New Jersey, none in New York.

$10.99 a bottle.

My order is on its way!

Regards, Bob

[Jenise]

78,000 cases? That's huge; haven't heard of Saint Clair before which is surprising considering that kind of production. Is this a Montana brand or something like that?

I've purchased their SB in previous vintages, but this is the best I've tried from them. Saint Clair Estate Wines is a family business, the Ibbotsons. That makes it even better for me -- I like to buy from family businesses instead of big conglomerates.

$10.99 a bottle.

That is a killer price, Bob, and it is certainly underpriced (not that I'm complaining from a consumer standpoint). I wonder how long it will be before we can't find a NZ SB for less than $20?

[Jenise]

I've purchased their SB in previous vintages, but this is the best I've tried from them. Saint Clair Estate Wines is a family business, the Ibbotsons. That makes it even better for me -- I like to buy from family businesses instead of big conglomerates.

Me, too, which is why I was compelled to ask.

Fantastic pick there, Randy - Saint Clair is my favourite sauvignon blanc producer and this one, Saint Clair Marlborough Sauvigon Blanc, was my 'wine of the year' last year. Could be again this year as it is such good value and so widely available - at least here in NZ.
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve is always stunning, but costs about $10 more. The latest show stopper is Saint Clair Pioneer Block 6 Sauvignon Blanc 2006 - absolutely scintillating and full of mouthwatering flavours of tart and tropical fruit, herbs and cut grass on a slippery texture.

The latest show stopper is Saint Clair Pioneer Block 6 Sauvignon Blanc 2006

I don't believe this wine ever makes it to the states (whine).

This one got some attention earlier here. It's terrific.
[url]http://www.wineloverspage.com/forum/village/viewtopic.php?t=1914&highlight=clair[/code][/url]

Yeah, read all about this zippy wine!! Hard to track down in these parts, everyone else is here on the shelves!

Randy, who is the importer and who is the distributor in our area?

Clint,
I checked the Saint Clair website and while they list a number of distributors in Canada, there is only one listed for the US.
http://www.saintclair.co.nz/distributio ... merica.asp
Cheers,
Sue

Somebody in Illinois imports the wine, Clint. I don't know who handles it in WA -- I asked Pat at my local shop to nab some and he got two cases for me, so it's on the wholesaler's books. I ordered another two cases from K&L. Vintage Wine in San Diego has a good price on the wine:

http://www.klwines.com/product.asp?sku=1026583

http://shop.vintagewinessd.com/browse.cfm/4,6910.htm

Thanks for the tip. We see Saint Clair pretty regularly down here. Be easier to find than the "Isabel" SB (recommended here) that I've been looking for.

Richard

Great tip, Randy. I bought a case at $12.00 on sale, and can't stop drinking the stuff.

It has a lovely grapefruit flavor -- grapefruit apparently interferes with the statins I take for cholesterol control -- and it's been a long, long time since I've tasted grapefruit.

Great QPR too. Thanks so much. Regards, Bob