Clos Henri : Clos Henri Pinot Noir 2015

Clos Henri Pinot Noir 2015: a luscious and savoury Marlborough Pinot Noir

Produced in the Marlborough appellation of New Zealand, the Clos Henri Pinot Noir is an organically grown, single-varietal Pinot Noir wine from vines aged 8 to 13 years on average. Here the terroir is characterised by a dry maritime climate with warm sunny days and cool nights. The vines are planted in soils of Broadbridge clay and Wither clay, which lend to the wine a distinctly rich style, with a dense structure, dark fruit aromas and a signature savoury character. Just as in the Bourgeois Family's namesake estate in Sancerre, the vines of Clos Henri are planted at a high density and cultivated by means of dry farming. The 2015 vintage at Clos Henri was dry and cool, with remarkable fruit density; wines with beautiful freshness and tension. To produce the Clos Henri Pinot Noir 2015, the fruit was 100% destemmed, and then transferred by gravity into large French oak vats. After one week of cold soaking, the fruit was fermented by means of a very light extraction. The fermentation and post-fermentation maceration lasted for three weeks, after which the wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, of which 25% was new.

On a fine, pure and very elegant nose, the Clos Henri Pinot Noir 2015 reveals aromas of blackberry, ripe plums and spice. On the palate, this Marlborough Pinot Noir presents layers of savoury flavour, which balances the fruit notes of plum and boysenberry. Meaty, mushroomy hints come through as well. This is a Pinot Noir with a beautifully silky structure and very well-integrated, mouth-coating tannins, which linger well into a long finish. A wine with an ageing potential of 10 to 12 years.