Cute Savvy and perky Pinot

Marlborough is located at the north eastern corner of New Zealand’s South Island, with the major grape growing region found in the Wairau Valley. The first vines were planted in 1973, arousing the interest of wine growers from both across New Zealand and around the world. This influx of contrasting and complementary wine techniques caused an unequalled development of Marlborough vineyards. The natural flow of the land stemming from the alluvial grounds of the Wairau and the Awatere Riverbeds and patches of low-vigour clay soils from the nearby Wither Hills, offer ideal conditions for viticulture. Although temperatures rarely exceed 30°C, Marlborough is considered the sunniest province in New Zealand, providing the vines a long maturation period and giving rise to the brightness of fruit character for which Marlborough is now famous.

In 2000 the Bourgeois family selected 98 hectares of prime Marlborough pasture with the objective of making unique and exceptional wines following the traditions and art of Henri Bourgeois. Clos Henri thenew plans to unite the history of French winemaking with the purity of New-World varietal character, thereby letting the family rediscover their passion for winemaking, while forging a new direction in an unspoiled land.

For years we have been championing Clos Henri as one of the premium Marlborough Sauvignons. We now welcome its little sister.

Le Petit Clos Sauvignon
The soils of Clos Henri with its microclimate are particularly well adapted to this vine. The alluvial grounds facilitate the natural drainage and contribute to control the hydration needs for the vine growth during the spring rains until the grape reaches maturity. The arid summers decreases the risk of botrytis or other fungal diseases.

This is a blend of the youngest vines on the Clos Henri estate from a mixture of gravel soils. It is from hand harvested fruit and made with the same particular care as the Clos Henri Sauvignon with extended lees contact to create a wine of greater complexity. This is because the gravels give elegance and fruit but not texture and mouthfeel.

Showing pineapple, guava and passionfruit aromas on the one hand and chalk, flint on the other which reveals the latent minerality of this wine with the mouth following the nose with surprising weight and richness.

Le Petit Clos Pinot Noir
Strict hand harvesting and fruit selection ensures uniform ripeness of berries. Carefully monitored, the must undergoes a week-long cold soak and plunging regime and a cool fermentation in open top tanks. The Pinot Noir is then aged for ten months in French oak barrels with only 15% new oak used. 

This gentle, feminine Pinot expresses generous delicate plum and cherry aromas, with hint of cinnamons and cloves on the nose.