Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2022 - Marlborough, New Zealand

90/100 CellarTracker
17.5/20 Grandes Escolhas

Organic

Bob Campbell, The Real Review "Punchy, vibrant wine with restrained passionfruit, lemongrass, capsicum and guava flavours supported by tangy, mouthwatering acidity. The wine is sporting a new proprietary bottle and label which cleverly preserves the shaded hills that were such a feature of the previous label."

Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "Rocking the new label and proprietary glass, the 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is excellent. It’s soft and floral, with lashings of green apple, sweet pea, pink grapefruit, white currant, coriander and even kiwi fruit. Sensational wine. Cloudy Bay has a big reputation for a reason."

Decanter "A pungent, punchy nose with plenty of Sauvignon Blanc character. Peach, blackcurrant leaf and kaffir lime leaves are blended with grapefruit zest and tarragon. Linear and bright with a ramrod-straight acidity and a long finish."

New Zealand Wine Rater "Restrained bouquet with classic nettle and gun flint characters backed up by an array of fruit aromas including grapefruit, kaffir lime, cucumber and yellow capsicum. Lighter-bodied, youthful, subtle wine that is taut, dry and textural with crisp, racy acidity."

Wine Spectator "Stands out for its intensity, with ruby grapefruit, yuzu and lemon essential oil details, plus notes of fresh-clipped, aromatic herbs centered around lemon thyme on a sleek, juicy frame. Long, expressive finish."

James Suckling "Lime peel, sliced green pears, hints of asparagus and lemons. It's bright and crisp with a medium body. Refreshing, showing restraint and focus. "

Grandes Escolhas "Super citrine, lime and lemon zest, also green pineapple and some passion fruit, focused and precise, without the almost cloying exuberance associated with Sauvignons from this country. Many notes of fresh herbs, full but light, finishing with vibrant acidity, almost cutting, providing great balance. Exemplary."

Winemaker "The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc has a zesty and vibrant nose, with notes of juicy citrus and makrut lime underpinned by subtle white nectarine and passionfruit notes. The palate is mouthwatering, with ripe vibrant passionfruit and citrus at the fore. These meld with tropical hints of peach and guava, gently balanced by stony saline notes."

100% Sauvignon Blanc
Alcohol: 13.1%

Cloudy Bay Vineyards is a winery in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. The winery is primarily noted for its Sauvignon blanc wines, and have played an important pioneering role in establishing New Zealand's and Marlborough's reputation. Cloudy Bay's first commercial vintage was produced in 1985 from purchased grapes, and the company later planted its own vineyards. It was one of the first New Zealand wines to be widely exported and came to attention because its fruit-forward style and very pronounced varietal character. The classic French Sauvignon blancs from Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé from the Loire Valley were typically more restrained and austere in comparison, and with higher acid levels.

Cloudy Bay winery was established in 1985 by David Hohnen, the founder of Margaret River winery Cape Mentelle Vineyards and McHenry Hohnen wines. Cloudy Bay's 140 hectares (350 acres) of vineyards are located at three sites in the winegrowing region of Marlborough, including areas close to the bay for which they are named. The region is noted for its production of Sauvignon blanc wines. The vines are planted on deep alluvial gravels. Five long-term contract growers also work closely with Cloudy Bay.

The Sauvignon Blanc taste is one of the most identifiable in the world of white wines for a few reasons. First, it always has crisp, high acidity. Second, it has a chemical compound called pyrazine which gives grassy, herbal or bell pepper flavors. When grown in cooler climates or picked early, the herbaceous green character is most prominent. In warmer climates or allowed to hang longer on the vine, the pyrazine character diminishes in favor of riper fruit flavors ranging from grapefruit, to passion fruit and guava.