2021 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir

Fascinated by this elusive grape, Cloudy Bay began experimenting with Pinot Noir in 1989 but it was not until 1994 that Kevin Judd and James Healy achieved a wine they believed was worthy of the Cloudy Bay name: a balanced and lively Pinot Noir, richly fruited with complex savoury notes and a silky texture. “It’s an inspiring variety that has totally absorbed the consciousness of some of our staff, its mesmerising effects causing them to hover constantly around the open tanks,” said Judd in 1994. The New Zealand Herald described Cloudy Bay’s Pinot Noir Style as, “more robust with more backbone than most versions from Marlborough, but with an elegance that propels it at once into the top league.” The Southern Valleys include Brancott, Omaka and Waihopai – home to Cloudy Bay’s Mustang, Barracks and Delta vineyards, which are ideal for Pinot Noir thanks to their climate, clay soil and diversity: one is a valley, one is rolling and one is elevated. Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir expresses these three terroirs with every vintage, “The Pinot is – like the Sauvignon Blanc – our vineyards in a bottle.” – Jim White, Technical Director, Cloudy Bay. The Marlborough Pinot Noir, when young, tends towards the red fruit spectrum, with notes of cherry and wild strawberry, framed by elegant tannins and a fine freshness. As the wine ages, it becomes more complex, showing soft spice. Fine, silky tannins and juicy freshness provide an elegant structure, with complexity coming from subtle oak. Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir has a cellaring potential of 20 years.

Pinot Noir