Clos Henri Solange Methode Traditionnelle

WHY WE LOVE IT

• Made in extremely limited quantities, this is a unique sparkling wine!
• Named after Henri Bourgeois’ wife; the Solange Methode Traditionelle honors her memory and her importance at Clos Henri. As the namesake for our famous Chapel, Solange carefully stands guard over the small parcels of Pinot Noir which grow in the Chapel’s view.
• Vineyards are planted in high density, which encourages competition between vines and restrains vigour; ensuring grapes divert their energy into the grapes (rather than canopy) – resulting in concentrated berries. Dry farming and organic practices ensures natural vine balance is achieved by stressing the vines just to the right level. Roots are forced to go deeper in the sol, obtaining the purest expression of the terroir and showing more minerality from the stone soils.
• The climate is dry maritime with warm sunny days and cool nights. The terroir is broadbridge and wither clays.
• The vine age is 20 years.
• Drink now or cellar it for 10+ years from vintage.

Varietal Composition: Blanc de Noirs

Elaboration: The grapes were lightly whole-bunch pressed selecting only the finest portion of the juice which was then fermented in a stainless steel tank to retain fruit purity anf finesse. The base wine was aged on fine lees for 10 months partly in stainless steel and old oak. The wine is stored in a cool cellar to allow to slow bottle fermentation and a second period on its lees. After a minimum of 18 months ‘sur latte’. a few hundred bottles are disgorged at a time for release to market.

Tasting Notes: The 2021 Vintage Blanc de Noirs has exceptionally fine, consistent bubbles with notes of white peach and wild alpine strawberries. The palate is all about juicy fresh-off-the-tree-peach while a lingering minerality leaves a lively and capricious mouthfeel. Delicious ripeness is balanced with a delicate acidity.

PRESS

2021 – 91 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.”