Cloudy Bay : Pinot Noir 2023

Cloudy Bay’s Marlborough Pinot Noir can get a bit overshadowed by its glamourous Central Otago sibling, Te Wahi, but this is a lovely wine. Pretty with notes of cranberry, pomegranate, red cherry and a touch of bacon fat, it has silky fruit, fine powdery tannins, bright acidity and a nicely focused juicy mid-palate. Slightly sappy, fairly long finish. Sourced from the Mustang, Barracks and Delta vineyards in the Southern Valleys’ rolling hills.

The 2023 Pinot Noir is ripe and rich, with dark fruit and spice, leather and autumn leaves, pomegranate molasses and cocoa. We know this wine ages tremendously well; however, today, I find it a little meaty and rich for my tastes in Pinot. Still, given past positive experiences with this wine at 20 years of age and more, I refuse to underestimate its potential. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.