Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay
- 0.75L | 13.0 %
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Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay
Taste & Aging
Complexity
Complex & deepDrinking Window
Aromas
Food Pairing
Our Review
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2024 Marlborough, New Zealand
Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2024 is a rich, oak-aged Chardonnay from Marlborough, a region typically dominated by Sauvignon Blanc, featuring a remarkable balance of fruit, texture, and oak. This Chardonnay hails from the Omaka Valley in Marlborough and is crafted only from the best barrels, giving it significantly more depth and gastronomic versatility than a simpler entry-level Chardonnay. Ripe peach, preserved lemon, and a fresh, savoury tension keep it vibrant, while toast, spices, and cedar add layers of complexity. It's already drinking beautifully but also possesses the tranquility and structure to develop further for another 5 to 10 years.
Vineyards and region
This wine's origin is much more than just Marlborough on the label.
- Location / Origin: The fruit primarily comes from Saint Clair's own vineyards in the Omaka Valley, a sub-region within Marlborough that is central to this reserve wine.
- Climate & Influences: Warm days and cool nights help build both ripeness and freshness simultaneously, giving the wine its combination of breadth, tension, and clear fruit expression.
- Soil: The soils are clay-based, contributing to better preservation of fruit intensity and giving this Chardonnay extra concentration.
- Vineyard & Harvest: The grapes were carefully monitored during ripening and hand-harvested at optimal flavour and physiological ripeness, as befits a reserve cuvée where selection truly makes a difference.
Vinification and ageing
The cellar approach gives this wine its distinct reserve profile.
- Harvest & Selection: The grapes were gently whole-bunch pressed, providing a refined base for a Chardonnay built primarily on texture and precision.
- Fermentation: The juice ferments in American oak barrels, 17% new, with selected yeast strains. This adds more spice, toast, and a broader, creamier structure to the wine.
- Ageing / Oak Maturation: After fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic conversion and ages for 9 months on its lees with regular bâtonnage. This increases its roundness, creaminess, and length without losing its tension.
- Alcohol percentage: At 13% alcohol, this Chardonnay has enough power for its oak ageing and full style, while remaining beautifully balanced.
Grape composition
This wine is all about one grape, but with clear selection based on clones and barrel quality.
- Chardonnay – Omaka Valley: Chardonnay forms the complete basis of this wine. The fruit is a blend of clones, primarily Mendoza and Burgundian Clone 95, which perfectly matches the combination of ripe fruit, texture, and refinement in the glass.
Tasting notes and serving suggestions
Light straw yellow in the glass, with a concentrated nose of spices, toasted cedar, and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, this Chardonnay is rich and generous, with a luxurious texture, notes of ripe peach, preserved lemon, and a distinct toasted note. The finish lingers, beautifully combining spiciness, creaminess, and tension.
- Serving temperature: 12–14 °C works best here, as this range allows enough room for the creaminess, oak, and layered structure, without suppressing the freshness.
- Dishes: Roasted chicken with lemon and garlic pairs beautifully here, as the wine has enough breadth and spice to truly complement such a dish.
Awards
- 94 points, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews (2025): A strong rating that convincingly underlines the depth and quality of this vintage.
- 96 points, 5 stars, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit (2025): An exceptionally high rating for this 2024 vintage.
- 4.0 stars with 3500+ reviews, Vivino: A strong score that shows this Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2024 is also highly appreciated by wine lovers.
More information about Saint Clair
Saint Clair Family Estate belongs to Neal and Judy Ibbotson, who have been among Marlborough's viticultural pioneers since 1978. Their experience in the vineyard led to the establishment of Saint Clair Family Estate in 1994, with the goal of fully showcasing the quality of their own fruit in the final wine. The winery remains a family business, with the next generation actively involved, and has built a strong international reputation since its first vintage.
Product details
| Availability | Only 8 in stock! |
|---|---|
| Alcohol content | 13.0% |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Size | 0.75L |
| Region | Marlborough |
| Sub-region | Southern Valleys |
| Appellation | Omaka |
| Land | New Zealand |
| Producer | Saint Clair |
| Varietal(s) | Chardonnay |
| Oak aging | Yes, Fermentation and aging for 10 months in American oak barrels. |
| Ideal serving temperature ? | 12° - 14°C |
| Storage at perfecte wijn | Air conditioned at 18°c |
