Clos Henri, Waimaunga, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2022

95 points, James Suckling

Nestled in the southern foothills of Marlborough’s Wairau Valley in New Zealand, Clos Henri is an organic wine estate established and meticulously run by the internationally-renowned Sancerre winemaking family of Henri Bourgeois. Eager to discover unique terroir and new winemaking perspectives, the Bourgeois family embarked on a 12-year worldwide search for land similar to their property in Sancerre, known for its premium Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. In 2000, the family discovered these new horizons and purchased 98 ha of pasture land in New Zealand’s most famous wine region. 

About the Bourgeois Family

Situated in Sancerre, France, the family estate of Henri Bourgeois has been passed down in the family for 10 generations. Now, one of the most established winegrowers in Sancerre and one of the most renowned family wineries in France, the Bourgeois family is immensely respected for their commitment to terroir-driven expressions of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Named after the ancient glaciation period that formed this exceptional terroir, Waimaunga offers the purest expression of Pinot Noir from the clay soils. Following the French tradition, the vineyard is planted in high density. This encourages competition between vines and restrains vigour; ensuring grapes divert their energy into the grapes (rather than the canopy) – resulting in concentrated berries. Dry farming and organic practices also allows them to ensure natural vine balance is achieved by stressing the vines just to the right level. This forces the roots to go deeper in the soil, obtaining the purest expression of our terroir and showing more minerality from the stone soils. 

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.