Clos Henri Pinot Noir

Clos Henri Pinot Noir

WHY WE LOVE IT

  •  The entire vineyard is planted in the French tradition of high density and grown on clay soils, this Pinot has naturally dense structure, dark fruit and savory characters.
  • Clos Henri first started dry farming in 2010 and their soils have shown exceptional potential by stressing the vines to just the right level in order to enable the roots to explore deeper the soil, thereby getting the purest expression of terroir.
  • Organically grown.

Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir

Elaboration: After hand picking, bunches are sorted and 100% destemmed before being transferred under gravity into large French oak vats with no crushing (100% whole berries). After spending one week cold soaking the berries are fermented. We are looking for light extraction through gentle pump overs at the beginning of fermentation, alternating with plunging mid fermentation. Fermentation and post ferment maceration last for three weeks. The wine is then aged for 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 25% of which is new oak.

Tasting Notes: A fine, pure and elegant nose, with Morello cherry, blackberries aromas and a hint of spice. Subtle oak emerges on a layered savory palate balancing the licorice flavors and juicy dark fruit notes, all surrounded by a silky structure with round and fine tannins, leading to a long finish.

PRESS

2015 – 91 Vinous | 93 James Suckling

2016 – 93 Wine Enthusiast | 93 James Suckling

2017 – 94 James Suckling

2018 – 94 James Suckling

PRODUCER BACKGROUND

Nestled under the southern foothills of Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, Clos Henri is the wine estate meticulously established and organically run by the famous Sancerre wine growing family of Henri Bourgeois. From the three different soil types of the estate, the family uses the best of French and New World winegrowing techniques to capture the essence of Marlborough’s intense character and reveal the identity and depth of the Clos Henri terroir. Textural and elegant, these wines are quite a bit different from the New Zealand “norm.”

Print Shelf Talker
Print review Shelf Talker (2015 – 93 James Suckling)
Print review Shelf Talker (2016 – 93 Wine Enthusiast)
Print review Shelf Talker (2018 – 94 James Suckling)