Clos Henri Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Winery Background and History:

Clos Henri is the New Zealand estate of the Bourgeois family, a renowned Sancerre producer from the Loire with generations of Sauvignon Blanc expertise behind them. Drawn to Marlborough for its purity of light and cool maritime climate, they established Clos Henri in the Wairau Valley near Blenheim, planting Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir on carefully selected sites. From the beginning the estate has been farmed organically and later biodynamically, with a strong focus on expressing place rather than simple varietal character. The wines aim to fuse French sensitivity and precision with Marlborough’s natural intensity. 

Producer and Wine Maker:

The wine is produced by Clos Henri Vineyard under the direction of the Bourgeois family, whose experience in Sancerre informs every aspect of viticulture and winemaking in Marlborough. The team works with a philosophy of low yields, careful hand work in the vines and minimal intervention in the cellar to protect texture and minerality. Winemaking is focused on harnessing concentration without losing freshness, so fruit is picked with precision and handled gently. The estate winemaking team blends French training and New Zealand pragmatism, producing a flagship Sauvignon Blanc that is structured, age worthy and gastronomic rather than purely aromatic. 

Vineyards and Micro Climate:

The fruit comes from estate vineyards around Blenheim in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, where Clos Henri owns parcels on two distinct soil types. Glacial river stones provide excellent drainage and moderate vigor, giving wines with tension, flinty minerality and bright citrus character. Nearby windblown clays bring more texture, weight and depth to the palate. The climate is cool maritime with long sunny days, cool nights and steady breezes that help retain natural acidity and keep the grapes healthy. This mix of high sunshine, cool nights and contrasting soil profiles allows the estate bottling to capture both vibrancy and layered complexity. 

Vinification & Aging Methods:

Grapes are harvested from certified organic vineyards and brought quickly to the winery to preserve freshness. They are gently pressed to minimize phenolic hardness, and the juice is clarified before a controlled fermentation, largely in stainless steel to retain aromatics and precision. A portion may ferment or mature in large, neutral vessels on fine lees to build mid palate weight and a silky texture without overt oak influence. Lees contact continues for several months, with periodic stirring as needed, enhancing complexity and mouthfeel. The wine is assembled, stabilized lightly and bottled to capture energy, purity and site expression. 

Tasting Notes:

This wine shows an expressive yet refined Marlborough profile with a clear influence from Loire traditions. Aromas suggest ripe citrus, lime zest and grapefruit alongside white peach, pear, orange blossom and subtle herbal and floral notes. A stony mineral thread runs through the nose and palate, reflecting the glacial stone soils. On the palate it is concentrated and vibrant, with juicy stone fruit and citrus flavours supported by bright acidity and a mouthcoating, chalky texture. The finish is long, precise and saline, leaving impressions of lime, crushed stones and fine herbs, giving both pleasure and gastronomic focus. 

Food & Wine Pairing:

The structure and mineral drive make this an excellent partner for a wide range of dishes. It pairs beautifully with fresh seafood such as oysters, clams, ceviche, crudo and simply grilled fish, where acidity and salinity echo the sea. It is also very successful with goat’s cheese, tomato and goat’s cheese tarts, herb driven salads and dishes featuring asparagus, peas or fennel. Fragrant Asian cuisine such as Thai green curry, Vietnamese herb salads or lightly spiced seafood works well because the wine’s intensity and citrus lift balance spice and richness without losing precision or becoming overwhelmed. 

Service Methods and Temperatures:

Serve this wine lightly chilled to highlight both aroma and texture. A serving temperature around ten to twelve degrees Celsius is ideal, cool enough to preserve freshness yet warm enough to reveal stone fruit, floral complexity and minerality. Use medium sized white wine glasses with a slightly tapered rim, similar to those used for high quality Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis, to concentrate the nose and support the linear palate. Avoid serving it overly cold, as this can mute the more subtle floral and mineral nuances. The bottle can be kept in an ice bucket with some water to maintain a stable cool temperature during service. 

Storage and Aging Potential:

This estate Sauvignon Blanc is designed to drink beautifully on release yet has the structure and concentration for short to medium term aging. With its combination of ripe fruit, high natural acidity and mineral backbone, it should evolve gracefully for three to five years from vintage in good storage conditions, gaining more honeyed, nutty and savoury nuances while retaining freshness. Store bottles on their side in a cool, dark place with a stable temperature and moderate humidity, away from vibration or strong light. For maximum vibrancy it is best enjoyed in its first few years, though careful cellaring will reward patience. 

Grape Varietals & percentage used:

Sauvignon Blanc 100% 

ABV (Alcohol by Volume):

14% 

Scores:

James Suckling: 94 

Wine Enthusiast: 91