Cloudy Bay : Pinot Noir 2023

Tasting Notes and Tips for Pinot Noir 2023 from Cloudy Bay

Tasting

Appearance
The wine shows a deep, vibrant ruby red.

Nose
The open, expressive nose reveals a generous bouquet of wild hedgerow berries and sun-warmed red cherries. Delicate notes of crushed rose petals complete this enticing aromatic profile.

Palate
On the palate, it offers a fine structure supported by silky tannins and bright acidity. Flavors unfold around a core of summer berries, accompanied by gentle spices and a hint of biscuit-like vanilla. The long finish evokes warm summer evenings, strawberries in the shade, and lingering barbecue smoke.

Food Pairing

This Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with red meat, roasts, and refined game bird dishes. It also goes elegantly with a Filet Mignon or hard cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully express its aromas, this Pinot Noir 2023 is best enjoyed at 16°C. It is recommended to open the bottle 30 minutes before serving or to decant. This wine has a cellaring potential of 8 to 10 years and, under proper storage conditions, can be kept until around 2033.

A Marlborough Pinot Noir with Silky Tannins and a Long-Lasting Finish

The Estate

Founded in 1985 by David Hohnen, the Australian pioneer behind Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay was among the first five wineries to establish themselves in Marlborough. Owned by LVMH, the estate farms its historic vineyards in the Wairau Valley. Specializing in Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the sparkling wine Pelorus, Cloudy Bay focuses on quality over quantity and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025.

The Vineyard

This Pinot Noir comes from vineyards in the Southern Valleys of Marlborough. The vines thrive on clay soils on north-facing slopes, which encourage optimal grape ripening.

The Vintage

The 2023 vintage got off to an uneven start to the growing season, with lower yields than usual. However, the long, sunny summer that followed allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. Harvest took place from March 14 to April 8, enabling berries at perfect ripeness to be picked.

Winemaking and Aging

The 2023 Pinot Noir grapes underwent rigorous optical sorting prior to vinification. Fermentation took place in open-top tanks with an average skin contact time of 21 days. Full malolactic fermentation was carried out. Aging lasted 11 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new.

Grape Variety

This New Zealand wine is 100% Pinot Noir.