Cloudy Bay began in 1985 and has become one of the de facto Sauvignon Blancs around. However they also produce Pinot Noir. Their 2021 estate Pinot expresses less strawberry notes typical of California Pinot Noir and more darker and restrained fruit, more common to New Zealand Pinot Noir. It offers lovely pomegranate, black cherry, light cassis, boysenberry and earthy raspberry. These darker fruits make this a better companion to fish and game and with its mild acidity, it will work well with a number of meals. Aged just 11 months in French oak (a scant 30% of those barrels were new French oak), means that the fruit is judiciously supported by a suitable tannic structure, a mild acidity and a hint of vanilla and very light charred wood. The end result is a very enjoyable Pinot Noir that expresses its true sense of origin. ORIGIN: Marlborough Southern Valleys, New Zealand. ALCOHOL: 13.8%
