Hans Herzog Estate - Marlborough St Laurent

St Laurent 2020

Regular price $69.00 Sale

For the Saint in us all, Austrian’s St. Laurent is a highly aromatic dark-skinned grape variety. Like a Pinot with poise, a bit darker and more assertive. Think sweet, luscious, ripe dark cherries, blueberries, and lovely spices. Rich with a great backbone of soft tannins and acidity for a long life. Heaps of barrel and bottle age for a satiny, mouth-filling texture and long, elegant finish

Vintage 2020+

Handpicked at the onset of April following a flawless summer, this holy Austrian variety, is highly aromatic with early flowering and late ripening characteristics. The finicky grape variety belongs to the Pinot family, it also serves as a parent to Zweigelt along with Blaufränkisch, both of which are planted in our vineyard. Close-planted at 8,000 plants per hectare, each vine yields just 600g of grapes, resulting in exceptionally sweet and succulent fruit. This unwavering commitment to quality and concentration shines through in every bottle of the revered wine.

Hans' Winemaking Comments+

After destemming, the grapes were subjected to a cold soak, extracting the remarkable properties from their flawless skins. Letting the temperature gently rise, a natural wild (indigenous yeast) fermentation commenced, prolonged and kept cool to preserve delicate flavours. Following fermentation, the must was gently pressed and transferred into two French Barriques, facilitating a gradual progression into natural malolactic fermentation. Aged for 18 months and further enriched by an additional two years of bottle aging, the wine retains its natural essence - no fining, no filtration, just pure, unadulterated goodness.

Tasting Notes+

The wine exudes a symphony of aromas, with sweet dark cherries, luscious boysenberries, and enticing warm spices inviting you in. A sturdy backbone of ripe tannins and balanced acidity promises a graceful evolution over time. Its mouth-filling presence and velvety textures lead to a lingering, elegant finish that leaves a lasting impression.

Technical Data +
Variety     100% St. Laurent
Rootstock RG
Vine Planted 2008 / 12 years
Soil  Shallow (<45 cm), comprised of stony alluvium, ensuring excellent drainage. Notably diverse, each row exhibits varying soil compositions, with sand and gravel interspersed with clay-sand layers, contributing to the unique terroir of the vineyard.
Planting Density   8,000 vines/ha
Yield  1.5t/ha
Alcohol 13.5%
Residual Sugar  <1 g/l
Ageing Potential 15 years
Bottles Produced 520 only. Be quick!
Food Matching Suggestions+

Indulge in the richness and allure of this wine, perfect for a variety of dishes. Its delightful depth pairs beautifully with bold flavours, ideal companions include wild game, roast duck, savory mushroom risotto, and an assortment of cured meats.