CLOS HENRI Cuvée WAIMAUNGA Pinot Noir from New Zealand 2021 75 cl

Description

Clos Henri Waimaunga 2021: The Bourgeois Family's Expression of New Zealand Pinot Noir

Clos Henri Waimaunga Pinot Noir 2021 is a single-vineyard red wine produced in Marlborough, on New Zealand's South Island. The estate belongs to the Henri Bourgeois family, whose winemaking heritage extends across ten generations in Sancerre, France.

The family established Clos Henri in the early 2000s after identifying Marlborough as a promising region for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

The vineyard lies in the Wairau Valley, where a dry maritime climate combines warm, sunny days with cool nights. These conditions allow Pinot Noir grapes to develop ripe flavours while retaining the freshness required for balanced wines.

Clos Henri is distinguished by the diversity of its soils. Some vineyard areas are planted on ancient river gravels, while others occupy clay-rich hillsides.

The Waimaunga cuvée focuses specifically on Pinot Noir grown in the Broadbridge and Wither clay soils.

Its name refers to an ancient glaciation period that contributed to the formation of the local landscape. These layered clay soils are particularly suited to producing Pinot Noir with depth, concentration and fine tannic structure.

The estate follows certified organic farming practices and uses high-density planting inspired by French viticultural traditions.

Dry farming is another important element of its approach. By avoiding irrigation, the vineyard encourages the vines to develop deeper root systems and explore the different soil layers.

The grapes for Waimaunga are harvested by hand and carefully sorted before vinification.

Approximately 20% of the harvest is retained as whole bunches. The remaining fruit is destemmed and transferred by gravity into large French oak vats without crushing.

A cold maceration lasting around one week precedes natural fermentation. Gentle pump-overs are used to control extraction and preserve the delicate structure of Pinot Noir.

Fermentation and post-fermentation maceration can continue for up to three weeks.

The wine is subsequently matured for twelve months in French oak barrels, of which 20% are new.

The 2021 vintage displays a rich aromatic profile combining ripe plum, warm baking spices, cherry and blackberry.

On the palate, the fruit is generous and concentrated, balanced by fine, integrated tannins. The texture is supple, while the long finish reveals a distinctive mineral character.

This combination of fruit intensity, structure and freshness gives the wine the ability to develop additional complexity with bottle ageing.

Clos Henri recommends pairing Waimaunga Pinot Noir with venison and game dishes. Roasted duck, lamb and mature hard cheeses are also suitable accompaniments.

The wine illustrates the relationship between the Bourgeois family's French winemaking experience and the distinctive clay terroirs of Marlborough.