As I write, thoughts of an excellent tasting last week with one of our major suppliers comes swimming back. Whilst there I re-introduced myself to the wines of Saint Clair and their award-winning winemaker Matt Thompson. Getting back into New Zealand thinking wasn't difficult as I love the wines from the region but re-tasting the Saint Clair range felt as if I'd found a long lost friend.

The first wines from Saint Clair only arrived on the scene in 1994 but in that short time they have forged an outstanding reputation as one of New Zealand's leading wine companies owned by Neal and Judy Ibbotson and going from strength to strength.Saint Clair has won more top awards for Sauvignon Blanc in recent years than any of the three hundred or so other local producers in Marlborough.

1 Marlborough Riesling 2010 - £12.25

A dry style of Riesling with all the hallmarks of the variety. Some citrus and mineral notes with a hint of the richer stone fruit showing through on the palate. Good viscosity and mouth feel backed up by a vein of mouth-watering acidity. Wonderfully fresh and clean. Very long on the finish.

2 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 - £12.25

As good as this wine has always been the 2010 has reached epic new levels! A beautifully full, crisp and powerful wine with notes of lime, blackcurrant and passionfruit. Has a full yet elegant palate with subtle minerality and well balanced acidity providing a long, lingering finish.

3 Pioneer Block Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - £16.50

The Pioneer Block range is a collection of single vineyard plantings.  Aromas of blackcurrant and nettles, mingle with white peach, passionfruit and guava. The palate has an intense concentration of blackcurrant and citrus, with a mineral note that gives the palate an intensity that seems to last forever!