2015 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc
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Tasting notes
(these vines, now averaging at least 15 years of age, are starting to reach maturity; Cloudy Bay has reduced its use of yeasts that produce a lot of thiols and esters, according to Operation Manager Daniel Sorrell; 10% oak is used to add texture): Bright, pale yellow. Lovely penetrating aromas and flavors of pineapple, grapefruit, lemon zest, spices and minerals. Bone-dry but the oak element rounds off the wine and contributes a subtle sweetness to its savory, very pure lemon and grapefruit flavors. Fine-grained Sauvignon Blanc with gentle but present acidity and attractive texture and lift. Hints at nettles but this is not a pungently herbal style in 2015. Finishes round and long. Ninety-five percent of these grapes are grown on rugged, free-draining riverbed soil around the winery, which automatically reduces yields, according to Sorrell. "You must get the picking dates right, which means early to mid-March in warm, dry years to preserve freshness," he told me. Incidentally, this was Cloudy Bay's 30th anniversary harvest.
Critic scores
Average Score
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
10% barrel fermented. RS 1.6 g/l. Creamy with apricots and stone fruit on the nose then tight and more nettley on the palate. Overall less pungent than I expected. Some notes of dried grass. Crisp and long. (JH)
The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough has a nose of fresh lemon, white grapefruit and lime blossoms with hints of sage and wild thyme. Medium bodied, dry, crisp with plenty of citrusy zing in the mouth, the finish is long and steely.
Screwcap. Full, broad, sweetish, pretty pungent nose. Masses of fruit rather than Sancerre-like minerality though no trace of asparagus – nor nettles. Sweet and sour finish of medium length. (JR)