Clos Henri Solange Blanc de Noirs Brut 2022 is a vibrant, expressive Marlborough sparkling wine from Clos Henri, an esteemed estate in New Zealand’s Wairau Valley founded by the French Bourgeois family of Sancerre with deep winegrowing heritage and a commitment to organic viticulture. The estate’s varied glacial soils and cool‑to‑moderate climate help produce wines with bright fruit, minerality and clarity of expression. Made in the méthode traditionnelle style entirely from lightly pressed Pinot Noir (Blanc de Noirs), the 2022 vintage honours Solange, the wife of Henri Bourgeois, and reflects both elegance and vivacity in the glass. Whole bunches are gently pressed to extract the palest juice, which is fermented and aged with careful lees contact before secondary fermentation in bottle and extended maturation on the lees (typically ≥ 18 months). On the nose it shows delicate aromas of wild strawberry, white peach and citrus, with subtle brioche and toast complexity from its bottle fermentation, while the palate is lively and textured with ripe red fruit, a touch of watermelon and raspberry, and refreshing acidity balanced by a creamy, mouth‑filling feel. Finish is dry, refined and persistent with a hint of phenolic grip. Clos Henri’s Solange Blanc de Noirs is equally at home as a stand‑alone aperitif or paired with fresh oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled prawns or light creamy dishes, bringing both playful energy and textural depth to the table. Why we love this wine? It is the complex combination of fruit flavours and delicate citrus tones that makes us instantly reach for a second glass!
