Team C&J
The 2020 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is considered one of the best vintages this New Zealand wine brand has ever released. While each vintage has its own special attributes, this bottling from New Zealand’s most famous wine brand is something special.
It’s no wonder that wine lovers everywhere have been asking themselves, what makes Cloudy Bay so unique, and why can’t wine lovers wait to get their hands on this wine when it’s released to the public?
The 1980s in New Zealand were a magical time for Sauvignon Blanc, and David Robb and Kevin Judd got in at the ground level of a wine revolution that put this island nation on the world map.
They created Cloudy Bay in 1985, the brand was one of the first five wineries to set-up shop in Marlborough, and shortly after that, the winery became known as the best Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand! One of the things that makes their operation stand out from the crowd is the motto “fewer bottles, better wine”.
Rather than maximize grape production, the winery deliberately keeps production around 30% lower than what the vineyards can produce. This farming strategy results in grapes that ‘pop’ with flavor and aromatics.
The 2020 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc was crafted by winemaker David Sorrell, who sourced fruit from this bottling from just under 100 parcel sites. Most of the vineyards are located in the Wairau Valley.
Despite the harvest for the 2020 vintage happening concurrently with COVID, according to Sorrell, the vintage is one of the best he’s seen. Dry and warm days led to cool evenings, and the resulting grapes were near perfect.
Here’s the cool part: Each vineyard site is vinified separately to showcase the unique qualities of the climate and terroir. When it’s time to blend the wine for the vintage, Sorrell tastes through each one and then determines which vat makes the grade.
For the 2020 bottling, 91 parcels made it into the blend!
While Cloudy Bay may have achieved international fame with its crisp, lime-tinged flagship wine, this winery also produces:
In the glass, the wine is a pale lemon color, and the nose offers an incredible number of aromas. Wet gravel and chalk are beautifully integrated with tropical notes of guava, gooseberry, and distinct vegetal elements reminiscent of celery, bell pepper, and grass, grounded by a subtle earthiness.
Like most New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, our impression of the palate for this bottle of Cloudy Bay was crisp and citrusy. Bright lemon and grapefruit mingled with the chalky minerality from the nose, green apple, celery, and gooseberry.
The finish of this wine lingers, and before you know it, you will be reaching for another sip.
Tips
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc can be aged for about a decade, so feel free to cellar a few bottles for when you’re craving an easy-drinking wine.
Try pairing this Sauvignon Blanc with seafood like shrimp, oysters, or whole-grilled fish. This refreshing wine also works with salads, chicken, and light summer appetizers. The grapes’ acidity means they can also pair with spicy foods like Thai or Mexican.
When some wineries see success right out of the gate, they rest on their laurels and ride the wave. This isn’t the case with Cloudy Bay. If you’re in the market for a crisp, refreshing white wine that delivers with each sip, pick up a few bottles. You’ll be happy you did!
Is Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc a good wine?
Yes! This wine is an excellent value for the quality, and the palate is textbook Sauv Blanc. But you don’t have to take our word for it. These wines have been impressing wine critics and the average wine lover for almost 40 years!
Where can I buy Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc?
In the US, you can buy bottles of Cloudy Bay at most wine retailers. Outlets like Total Wine and BevMo often carry this wine, as do many local bottle shops.
Who owns Cloudy Bay Winery?
The winery was acquired by Louis Vuitton parent-company LVMH in 2010. The LVMH portfolio also includes Krug, Chandon, Newton Vineyards, and Ruinart Champagne.
New Zealand
Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc
13.5
Kevin Judd
49–55°F / 9–12°C
Chardonnay
N/A
Now to 2032
Cloudy Bay
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