Clos Henri Waimaunga Pinot Noir
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The Waimaunga Pinot Noir is named after the ancient glaciation period that formed this exceptional terroir, it offers the purest expression from the clay soils.
- The climate is dry maritime with warm sunny days and cool nights.
- The vine age is between 15-20 years old.
- Following the French tradition, the vineyard is planted in high density, encouraging competition between vines and restraining vigor. This ensures the vines divert their energy to the grapes, resulting in concentrated berries.
- Dry farming and organic practices are used.
- This wine can be aged 10+ years.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: After hand picking, bunches are carefully sorted and 20% is kept as whole cluster with the rest is destemmed before being transferred under gravity into large French oak vats with no crushing. After spending one week cold soaking, natural fermentation begins. Light extraction through gentle pump overs and avoid plunging to rely on alcoholic extraction. Fermentation and post ferment maceration last for up to three weeks. The wine is then aged for 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 20% of which is new oak.
Tasting Notes: This is an inviting and generous wine which delivers a palette of flavors. On the nose, there is a pronounced intensity of ripe blueberry, with subtle notes of violet. Strawberry and red cherry notes are balanced with rich and concentrated texture. Velvet, fine tannins are completed by mushroom and leather hints. A complex and lingering wine with a spicy finish that will transport you to our windswept terroir.
PRESS
2019 – 94 James Suckling
2020 – 94+ Wine Advocate | 94 Wine Enthusiast
2021 – 93 James Suckling
2022 – 95 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.”