WTN: Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon 2009

Vin de Pays du Loire
Henri Bourgeois

Light yellow, with green tints, in the glass.

Gooseberry, grapefruit, minerally on the nose.

Medium weight, grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit, lemon, lime, rich, intense, clean, good acidity.

Mouthwatering, citrus peel on the finish.

Quite nice.

Screwcap closure.

Purchased at $14.95 (Canadian).

It's fairly popular here as well.

I visited Henri Bourgeois earlier this year. Its in a small village - Chavignon - on the opposite side of the valley to Sancerre.

They have a very modern winery, are very go ahead - they grow and make SauvignonBlanc in their winery in New Zealand.

The village main street is narrow, just about possible for the large lorries delivering new bottles and taking away wine shipments.

Many of the old houses lining the road are owned by wineries and they store wine in their cellars.

I sell wine retail here in Oregon. Speaking of Clos Henri in New Zealand, I thought it was interesting that my local distributor had some 2006 Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc that they had on closeout. I love New Zealand Sauv Blancs and enjoy them all year round. When I have had other friends taste this 2006, the one comment that pops up is that it tastes very French. It shows lots of typical minerality but the fruit is still very fresh. I would say that it will continue to drink well for a couple more years. I sell it now for $8 and am down to the last few cases. I also do sell the Petit Bourgeois.

Hi Michael

Interesting you say how fresh tasting that 2006 is, considering it's a couple of months of 6 years old. Is it closed with a screwcap?

It is closed with a stelvin. It certianly does not taste like a regular 2010 Marlborough Sauv Blanc but the acidity is still there. I have made the comment to people that if you lined up any 10 NZ Sauv Blancs and I tasted them all blind, I would be able to pick this out 10 times out of 10. I like it for its distinctiveness and character. I do feel that a young vintage of Clos Henri does stand out from many other Marlborough wines.