Clos Henri Otira Glacial Stones Sauvignon Blanc 2024 - 750ml

96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2024 Otira Glacial Stones Sauvignon Blanc is just such a fantastic wine. I love it every year. Mineral tension, poise and elongated shape are the hallmarks of this wine. The wine has a smell of fresh sheets, crisp, crushed shells, white spice and ocean air. I appreciate the length and stretch of this wine—it fully extends and lingers, and there is a textural pulsing and undulation. It is truly excellent. 2024 was a warm vintage and produced wines of amplitude and volume, yet here the terroir has compressed the fruit into its own shape. So, with the coupling of the season and the terroir, we have this. It's a triumph among triumphs. The numbers of this wine are mad/impressive to behold: very low pH (2.97), a good level of total acidity (6.5) and 14% alcohol. Years of high-density planting and organic management (since 2010, certified 2013) in this place has enabled a wine of balance to achieve these numbers. Sealed under Diam.

95pts Wine Enthusiast - Editors' Choice

There's a gentleness to this single site Sauvignon, from a top French-owned biodynamic estate. It's concentrated, flavorsome, but never forced or over-made. There's pronounced minerality—like stones, shells and fresh cut meadow crunching underfoot—and salted margarita vibes, with pineapple rind garnish. Bright, tangy acidity and herb-and-citrus flavors aren't shy on the palate, but they never shout their presence. Mouth-watering and textural enough to be food friendly; the mineral core anchors a ship of flavor. 

90pts Wine Spectator

Firm and juicy, with pear, crunchy star fruit and white peach flavors up front, plus details of orange blossoms, candied kumquat and fresh lemon on the long, mouthwatering finish. Drink now. 5,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.

Tasting Notes

Ripe aromatics with a delicate expression; elderflower and clover honey adds complexity to the lemonade apple flavours which bloom across the gently pithy, dry palate. Finishing elegantly, 2024 offers finesse, focus and freshness with a cool, citrusy acidity.

Serve with fresh line-caught fish such as snapper and cod, or pair with a goat’s cheese and fig tart.

About the Wine

Named after the ancient glaciation period that formed this exceptional terroir, Otira is the purest expression of the stony soils found on the terraces of our estate. Formed 75,000 years ago, these free-draining soils result in wines with elegant minerality and excellent structure. 

Following the French tradition, our vineyard is planted in high density. This encourages competition between vines and restrains vigour; ensuring grapes divert their energy into the grapes (rather than the canopy) – resulting in concentrated berries. Dry farming and organic practices also allow us to ensure natural
vine balance is achieved by stressing the vines just to the right level. This forces the
roots to go deeper in the soil, obtaining the purest expression of our terroir. 

Winery Notes

Nestled under the southern foothills of Marlborough's Wairau Valley, Clos Henri is the wine estate meticulously established and organically run by the famous Sancerre wine growing family of Henri Bourgeois. Gathering 10 generations of know-how with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, the family has broadened their horizons and continue to craft exceptional wines in the New World. From the three different soil types of the estate, the family uses the best of French and New World winegrowing techniques to capture the essence of Marlborough's intense character and reveal the identity and depth of the Clos Henri terroir.

Organic