2013 New Zealand

The style of pinot that Cloudy Bay have set themselves up around is a bold, brassy and assertively oaked style but the bold and ripe brambly dark cherry fruits are up to the task. Then there's gentle citrus peel along with earth, spices and herbs. The tannins are strong but smooth, and there's plenty of freshness and energy on the palate. Flavoursome dark cherry fruits run deep.
James Suckling - jamessuckling.com - March 2015

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2013 Pinot Noir has youthfully subtle notes of red plums, cranberries and black cherries with suggestions of forest floor, lavender and garrigue. Very elegant in the mouth with layers of ethereal fruit and earth characters nicely framed by firm silky tannins and just enough acidity, it offers a satisfyingly long finish.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - The Wine Advocate #216 (part 2), Jan 2015

Attractively bright red fruit on the nose – Raspberry, red currant and plum fruit combined with notes of sous bois and vanillin spice. Elegant and svelte on the palate. Lovely persistent fruit that extends onto a lovely spicy length. Excellently balanced with nice hint of tannin material that grips and gives the wine a certain gravitas. A gentle caressing Pinot Noir but with serious intention. Lovely now but will gain great complexity over the next 5 – 8 years.
Stuart Rae, Fine Wine

Lots of pulpy, bright cassis fruit on the nose. Toasty as well from the 18 months in barrel (French oak, mostly new). Lots of brambly black fruit on the palate. Tannins are perfectly ripe and integrated. Very complete mouth feel and lingering finish. Bitter chocolate note on finish with a fresh redcurrant acidity. Superb this year. Give it a couple of years in the cellar.
Fergus Stewart - Private Account Manager
 
The nose is rich, opulent and broad; but has the detail and intricacies that vintages such as 2009 now have. On the palate one could be forgiven for thinking that this is a top level Medoc Claret in a great vintage. Such is the palate saturating, rich, complex fruit character. There is a wonderful wave of fine, ripe tannins just waiting to unfurl, which when they do is like a whirlwind on the palate. There is great freshness and coolness to this wine and although I haven’t re-tasted their last few efforts recently I am more than happy to declare this the best I’ve tasted.
Gary Owen - Private Account Manager

Cloudy Bay have been setting the benchmark for Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc since 1985 – often imitated, rarely bettered. Their 2013 initially displays a powerful nose of gooseberry fruit and elderflower….the typical notes for New Zealand Sauvignon. However, going back to the glass after a minute or two reveals a deeper, richer tone of white peaches and passion fruit which hint at something far above the average Kiwi Sauvignon. The palate is vibrant and racy – in fact it fairly zings with white currant and grapefruit flavours. However, and it is the overall balance and complexity on the finish which sets it apart from the pack.
Philip Moulin - Fine Wine