The wines of Cloudy
Bay Vineyards, Marlborough, New Zealand
see a more recent review of these wines
(January 2007)
I’ve already written at some length about this semi-iconic
Marlborough producer (here), so I’ll
confine my notes here largely to the wines. An impressive set of
wines are made from 60 hectares of estate vineyards surrounding
the winery, plus some more vines in the southern foothills. This
vineyard area is supplemented by long-term agreements with six
Wairau Valley growers. My regular favourites are the
full-flavoured Pelorus sparkling wines (both vintage and
non-vintage are impressive), the sought-after Sauvignon and the
well-made Pinot Noir. I wasn’t keen on the Chardonnay this time
and I was undecided about the much-lauded Te Koku.
Cloudy Bay Pelorus NV Marlborough
This fizz is made in a distinctive, accessible full flavoured
style. There’s a yeasty, bready richness to the palate, together
with a hint of caramel. Very attractive stuff with good balance.
Very good/excellent
Cloudy Bay Pelorus Vintage 1996, Marlborough
Pronounced smoky, toasty, bready nose. There’s a meaty,
yeasty edge to the rich, toasty palate. Full flavoured and quite
delicious. Very good/excellent
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2001, Marlborough
50 000 cases are made of this each year, but its so highly
sought after in the UK that retailers have to allocate or bundle
it. Great intensity on the nose, with lots of trademark grassy,
gooseberry character. Not overblown though. The rich, rounded
full-flavoured palate is very appealing with lots of flavour and
some substance. Very good/excellent
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2000, Marlborough
Striking nose: very intense and herbal with some savoury,
nutty character. Very unusual palate is intense and concentrated
with a bizarrely herbal character. This isn’t quite together
yet. Very good
Cloudy Bay Te Koku 1999, Marlborough
This partly oak aged Sauvignon Blanc is unusual. Pronounced
savoury nose with an intense herbal character and some smokiness.
The concentrated, full flavoured herbal palate is savoury and
shows tight herbal fruit. Very good+
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2000, Marlborough
Intense, bright cherry fruit on the nose with a savoury edge.
Good concentration on the bright juicy palate with some herby,
spicy complexity. Quite tight at the moment, but it may develop.
Very good/excellent (c. £18)
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