Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Description of Domaine Clos Henri Vineyard
Domaine Clos Henri Vineyard, established in the heart of the renowned Marlborough region in New Zealand, is the result of the fusion between French winemaking expertise and the exceptional New Zealand terroir. Founded by the Bourgeois family, famous winemakers of the Loire Valley, the estate is committed to biodynamic and sustainable viticulture, aiming to produce wines that embody the purity and intensity of their terroir.
Description of the Cuvée Clos Henri Vineyard Waimaunga Pinot Noir
Cuvée Clos Henri Vineyard Waimaunga Pinot Noir is a remarkable expression of Pinot Noir, from vines carefully selected for their exceptional quality. This vintage reflects the estate's quest for excellence, offering a wine that combines the finesse and complexity characteristic of Pinot Noir with the richness of the Marlborough terroir. It is the symbol of harmony between nature and artisanal know-how.
Aromas of the Cuvée
This Pinot Noir reveals a captivating aromatic spectrum, with notes of cherry, raspberry and plum, intertwined with touches of undergrowth, sweet spices and a fine minerality. Aging in oak barrels brings nuances of vanilla and toast, completing its aromatic complexity.
Characteristics of the Cuvée
- Grape variety: Pinot Noir
- Profile: An elegant and structured wine, with silky tannins and a well-marked acidity, which combine to offer a beautiful length on the palate and promising aging potential.
- Aging Potential: Although attractive in its youth for its fruitiness and freshness, this Pinot Noir will benefit from aging in the cellar, revealing greater complexity and harmony over time.
Pairings with this Cuvée
Clos Henri Vineyard Waimaunga Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with delicate dishes such as roast duck, wild mushroom dishes or soft cheeses. Its unique character and depth make it an ideal companion for fine meals and special occasions.
Where are we traveling?
Marlborough
It lies at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island, bordered by the sparkling waters of the Marlborough Sounds to the north and by the foothills of the Richmond Ranges to the south. The vineyards stretch mainly across the alluvial plains of the Wairau Valley and the higher slopes of the Southern Valleys and the Awatere Valley, in a luminous landscape of stony terraces framed by snow-capped mountains. Its winemaking history is surprisingly recent: it all began in 1973, when Montana (now Brancott Estate) planted the first Sauvignon Blanc and Müller-Thurgau vines on land then thought too cold for viticulture. Success came swiftly, and the first vintage of Cloudy Bay, in 1985, sealed Marlborough's status as a global phenomenon that single-handedly redefined the style of Sauvignon Blanc. The climate is cool and sunny, with the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand, tempered by cool nights and dry winds coming down from the mountains, preserving razor-sharp acidity and strikingly intense aromas. Marlborough has established itself as the world capital of Sauvignon Blanc, producing explosive wines with notes of passion fruit, gooseberry and lime zest, complemented by increasingly respected elegant, fruity Pinot Noir, fresh, precise Chardonnay and traditional-method sparkling wines – proof of a region whose ambition now reaches far beyond its founding grape.
The little history of the country
New Zealand
Introduced in 1819, vine growing was greatly developed by Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, a French Marist missionary. Sent to Oceania in 1837, he settled there from January 1838 onwards to develop New Zealand's vineyards. The first quality vineyards were established in the Hawke's Bay region in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After setbacks caused first by phylloxera and then by the First World War, the vineyards began to expand again during the Second World War, when their area doubled. Today, New Zealand has 10 main wine regions spread across the North and South Islands, the largest of which is Marlborough. Most of New Zealand's wine regions have a maritime climate. The country's long, narrow shape means that vineyards are never more than 120 km from the coast, and most are much closer than that (with the exception of the semi-continental Central Otago region). A spine of mountains running down the centre of the country shields most of the main wine regions from the strong westerly winds off the Tasman Sea known as the "Roaring Forties". Because of these winds, there are few wine regions on New Zealand's west coast. The quality and reputation of New Zealand wines are well established. Indeed, the country produces some of the best and most renowned Sauvignon Blanc in the world. And it is no coincidence that New Zealand has made Sauvignon Blanc its emblem, just like its sheep, its kiwis and its legendary haka!