Review: Wines of Cloudy Bay, 2022 Releases
New Zealand’s Cloudy Bay recently sent us a trio of wines — with both the 2021 and 2022 vintages of its iconic sauvignon blanc represented. Let’s dig into all of them.
2020 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir Marlborough – A pedestrian pinot, slightly beefy with distant, demure fruit that tries only fitfully to break through the surface. It never quite does, resulting in a pinot noir that is heavy with dusty, earthy notes that are never counterbalanced by the needed brightness of cherry or spice which could serve as a foil. Flat on the finish, with only a hint of fruit-driven character to counter the big roast beef elements that otherwise dominate. C+ / $40
2021 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough – If you told me this was wine made from pineapples, I wouldn’t argue. The sweetness and tropicality are on point and, frankly, extreme, coming across as downright juicy, almost jammy. It’s hard to drink more than a glass of this wine for fear you’ll need to change into a swimsuit to drink any more of it. Straightforward and blunt, it’s a wine that’s gone much too far in this direction for easy enjoyment. C / $25 [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]
2022 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough – While initially similar to the 2021, the wine is straightforward with tropical sweetness, showcasing mango at times. Things quickly shift on the palate, as lots of acidity in this vintage helps to temper the almost brutishly tangy, fruity sweetness, giving the finish a brighter, more reflective composition. Light notes of lemon peel linger on a citrus-focused conclusion. Much more approachable than the ultra-sweet 2021. B+ / $25
2021 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
$25
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