Clos Henri belongs to the Bourgeois family of Chavignon, near Sancerre, who have farmed vines there for ten generations, since 1696. The estate is named for their father, Henri Bourgeois. After looking at cool climates through the late 1980s, brothers Remi and Jean-Marie made their first trip to New Zealand in 1999 and bought unplanted sheep country in Marlborough soon after. The estate was established in 2000.
It lies in the Wairau Valley, beyond Renwick and up against a hillside on the western side. Of the 110 hectares, 44 are in vines. A fault line runs through the property, so the soils change from block to block. Clos means an enclosed vineyard, and the vines, the winery and the cellar door all sit within a single boundary. The farming is certified organic, which is unusual in Marlborough, where only about 3 per cent of vineyards are run that way.
The Pinot Noir is medium-bodied and supple, with raspberry and cherry fruit, a hint of liquorice and a fine, stony mineral line. Serve it just cool with roast duck, lamb or mushroom dishes.