2019 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

This was the wine that put New Zealand wines on the worldwide map. That was twenty or thirty years ago (the winery was actually founded in 1985), and it had been a while since I have tried this wine. And, it is still excellent. Light green/gold in color. The nose has tropical fruits and limes. Very nice. Clean. On the palate, this is medium bodied. Just a hint of sweetness. Tropical fruits with slight citrus. Enough acidity. Nice finish. This drinks easily on its own. It will work well with lighter foods, maybe a fruit salad? Drink over the next three to five years.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2019

Current Price:

$25.00USD

Marlborough: New Zealand's Flagship Wine Region

If you mention New Zealand wine in conversation, most people will assume you mean sauvignon blanc, and with good reason. New Zealand sauvignon blancs are considered to be the world's best by many wine experts. And, if you are looking for the best of New Zealand's sauvignon blancs, you will inevitably end up in Marlborough.

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2018 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$25.00USD

It was nice to revisit this icon which really started the whole New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc industry. The truth is, however, this no longer sets itself apart from the pack except for the pricing. Pale silvery/gold in color. The nose is lemony and tart. Those characteristics carry thru to the palate. Nice acidity. Solid finish. This is a very good wine that will work with lighter foods and seafood.

Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

IntoWine.com asked a panel of wine experts for their recommendation for the best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc: New Zealand took the wine world by storm with its intensely flavored Sauvignon Blancs starting in the 1980s. Sauv Blanc is still the most widely planted grape in Kiwi Country, by a long shot, and there are numerous great examples. My favorite NZ Sauv Blanc from recent vintages is the 2012 Loveblock, the first vintage from Kim and Erica Crawford’s new label. They were the team behind the hugely successful Kim Crawford label, which they sold to Vincor International in 2003 for $8.6 million. The Loveblock is a complex, structured Sauvignon Blanc, with notes of ripe lime, smoke and sweet green chili. You can find it for an average of $18 at U.S. retailers. Another favorite producer is the justly famous Cloudy Bay, which makes both a delicious, balanced, unoaked version, as well as a Sauv Blanc that is reminiscent of a white Bordeaux from a ripe year—the Te Koko, which spends 18 months in French oak. One more great one is the intensely flavored Saint Clair Family Estate Selection. Richard Jennings, IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder RJonWine.com.

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2012 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

Vintage:

2012

Grade:

Sadly, this has not held up. It was purchased on release and well stored since then. It is still drinkable but really not why anyone would buy this wine. Silver/gold in color. The nose is problematic. Someone described it as peanut butter and that is close. I found it more like the skins on roasted peanuts. In any event it is odd. Others found it worse. Perhaps a bit better on the palate, but mostly nondescript. This was probably much better 6 years ago. If you own any, no harm in opening now, but have a back up bottle.

2017 Sineann Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand, Wine Review

Vintage:

2017

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$23.00USD

From Oregon producer Sineann, they also make a line of wines in New Zealand. This is a delightful and classic style of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has peaches but also a hint of tropical fruits. Medium bodied. On the palate, the fruits come thru to match the nose. More tropical fruit on the finish. Slightly viscous texture. Dry. This is drinking well but probably should be consumed in the next few years. It drinks great on its own and will work well with lighter foods.

2019 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand, Marlborough, Wine Review

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