Clos Henri, Pinot Noir, 2017

GENERAL INFORMATION

Estate / Producer / Brand: Clos Henri

Region: Wairau Valley, Malborough, New Zealand

Appellation: Wine of New Zealand

Type: Dry red wine, non-sparkling

Vintage: 2017

Date of Tasting: April 2023

Type of viticulture: organic (certified)

Grapes used: 100% Pinot Noir

Vintage Blend: 100% grapes from 2017

Winemaking details: dry-farming, hand-harvested, 80% destemmed grapes + 20% whole bunch, post ferment maceration for 3 weeks

Aging: aged for 12 months in 100% French oak barrels (20% of which is new oak)

Sugar level: low (level of residual sugar not communicated)

Sulphites: contains sulphites

APPEARANCE

  • Colour = Ruby
  • Intensity = Medium+

NOSE

  • Intensity = Medium+
  • Aromas Characteristics = Primary + Secondary + Tertiary
  • Aromas = Rapsberry, cassis, currant, black pepper, notes of violet, cinnamon

PALATE

  • Sweetness = Dry
  • Acidity = Medium+
  • Tannins = Medium+ (fine and well integrated)
  • Alcohol = High (14%)
  • Body = Medium+
  • Flavour Intensity = Medium+
  • Flavour Characteristics = Primary + Secondary + Tertiary
  • Flavour details = Rapsberry, wild strawberry cassis, currant, black pepper, notes of violet, cinnamon
  • Other = bright acidity
  • Finish = Long

GENERAL ASSESSMENT (1)

  • Overall Quality = Very very good
  • Bottle Aging =
    • Can be kept at around 10°C for up to 10-12 years
    • Will gain complexity from aging
  • Retail Price = 35 euros for a 75cl individual bottle (France retail price, incl. taxes)
  • Value for Money = Top-notch
  • Comparison with same price competition = Top-notch
  • Suitability for Diabetics = suitable (level of residual sugar not communicated)
  • Service Temperature = around 15°C
  • Suggested Food & Wine Pairing = capon, quail, duck, fillet of New Zealand salmon, pork, veal, lamb, venison, herbed crusted lamb cutlets, chargrilled venison
  • Comments = I really like the price-quality ratio offered by this wine. A bright acidity, a complex palate and a long finish. A prime example of what a very very good Pinot Noir from New-Zealand can be. All this at a very affordable price given its great quality. I really advice you to try it (especially if you never had any New Zealand’s Pinot Noir in the past).
  • Final Grade = A-

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Wine is a gourmet treasure, do not abuse alcohol!

None of this content has been sponsored

I did not receive any gifts or free samples that could be related to this article

www.oray-wine.com


(1)GENERAL ASSESSMENT GUIDE

Please note that although all efforts have been made to be as objective as possible, the general assessment inherently involves a degree of subjectivity based on a personal evaluation of the wine.

  • Overall Quality scale
    • Poor < Acceptable < Good < Very Good < Outstanding
  • Bottle Aging
    • Will it beneficiate from additional aging?
  • Retail Price
    • Usually the retail price for one bottle including taxes
  • Value for Money
    • Quality offered compared to the price paid
  • Comparison with same price competition
    • where does it stand compared to average competition of the same price range
  • Suitability for Diabetics
    • Evaluation of the level of final sugar for early stages diabetics
  • Comments
    • Any additional elements worth noting
  • Final Grade Scale
    • A++ = Out of the Charts Wine (Stellar, Hors Classe, Fuori Classe)
    • A+ = Outstanding Wine
    • A = Great Wine
    • A- = Very Very Good
    • B+ = Very Good
    • B = Good
    • B- = Noteworthy
    • C+ = Acceptable
    • C = Poor
    • F = The worst grade of this scale