CLOS HENRI Cuvée WAIMAUNGA Organic Sauvignon from New Zealand 2022 75 cl

Description

Clos Henri Waimaunga 2022: The Bourgeois Family's Organic Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand

Clos Henri Waimaunga Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is a dry white wine produced by Clos Henri, the New Zealand wine estate established by the Henri Bourgeois family from Sancerre.

With generations of experience cultivating Sauvignon Blanc in France's Loire Valley, the family began its New Zealand project in 2000.

The estate is located in Marlborough's Wairau Valley, on the northern part of New Zealand's South Island.

This region is recognised for its sunny growing conditions, maritime influences and significant temperature differences between day and night.

These climatic characteristics help Sauvignon Blanc develop ripe fruit flavours while retaining the freshness associated with the variety.

Clos Henri's vineyards are particularly notable for their geological diversity.

Ancient glacial activity, tectonic movements and windblown deposits created several distinct soil types across the estate.

The Waimaunga Sauvignon Blanc is produced from vines planted on the property's clay-rich hillsides.

These soils were formed approximately 250,000 years ago and differ significantly from the stony glacial terraces used for the estate's Otira Sauvignon Blanc.

The winemaking team identifies Waimaunga with richness, generosity and a pronounced fruit character.

The wine is made entirely from organically grown Sauvignon Blanc grapes.

Clos Henri employs relatively high-density planting, reflecting the Bourgeois family's French viticultural heritage.

Competition between neighbouring vines helps restrict excessive vegetative growth and encourages the development of concentrated fruit.

The estate also favours dry farming, limiting irrigation and encouraging the vines to develop deeper root systems.

For the 2022 vintage, the finished wine contains 13.5% alcohol.

Its aromatic profile combines ripe citrus fruit, pineapple and tropical fruit with green and herbal nuances.

The palate is particularly expressive, with a rounded, silky texture that contrasts with the sharper profile sometimes associated with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

Lime and pineapple flavours are supported by refreshing acidity, while the finish develops a persistent mineral and saline impression.

In its review of the 2022 vintage, Wine Enthusiast awarded the wine 94 points.

The publication highlighted lime pith, pineapple rind, beeswax and meadow-like aromas, together with a rich palate and silky mouthfeel.

These characteristics make Waimaunga an interesting choice for dishes that combine freshness with aromatic intensity.

Scallops prepared with lime and ginger provide a particularly suitable pairing. Grilled white fish, prawns and other shellfish also complement its citrus character.

Goat's cheese offers another natural combination, reflecting the Sauvignon Blanc food-pairing tradition familiar to the Bourgeois family in Sancerre.

Clos Henri Waimaunga Sauvignon Blanc 2022 demonstrates how the same grape variety can express a different balance of fruit, texture and freshness when cultivated on Marlborough's ancient clay soils.