Wine Advisor
Cloudy Bay, Chardonnay 2022
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Erin Larkin
The 2022 Chardonnay is powerful and texturally a little slippery, with a rambunctiously peachy palate with notes of nuts, nougat and stone fruit. The acidity is tense, which works well in the context of the ripe fruit, but the wine retains its opulent style throughout. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Reviewed by: Rebecca Gibb MW
The 2022 Chardonnay is mellow and suave. Its distinctly peachy fruit meets subtle nutty notes and a creamy texture, nodding to both its time in oak and malolactic conversion. Easy and approachable with a fine line of fresh, citrus-like acidity, it's a sensitively made style.
About the Producer
In the easternmost part of the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand's South Island, there is a bay that was named "Cloudy Bay" in 1770 by a sea captain named Cook on his voyage to New Zealand. This is where Cloudy Bay gets its name. The winery was founded in 1985 and was one of the first five wineries to be established in Marlborough. Since its inception, the winery has been highly regarded and has quickly become a globally recognized standard producer of white wines. Cloudy Bay's critical acclaim has paved the way for the global success of New Zealand wines. Cloudy Bay is located in the Wairau Valley of Marlborough on New Zealand's South Island, a region with a cool climate, high humidity, predominantly clayey soils and the longest sunshine hours in New Zealand. Cloudy Bay has its own vineyards here (the winery also buys grapes from local farmers) and grows Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, a small portion of Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. Pinot Gris.) Innovation, meticulous attention to detail and adherence to regional identity are the hallmarks of Cloudy Bay. The winery is now also actively promoting a more environmentally friendly approach to vineyard management. Cloudy Bay's Sauvignon Blanc wines are very popular both domestically and internationally. The grapes for this wine are harvested by machine and the juice is left to rest for 48 hours after pressing, after which it is fermented in stainless steel tanks and left in contact with the fermentation residue for two months before being blended and bottled. This wine has a rich, layered fruit aromas, including mango and orange, and is rich and fresh on the palate. Besides the most famous Sauvignon Blanc, Cloudy Bay actually makes many other grape varieties, such as Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, etc. It also produces two sparkling Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blends, which are made using the traditional Champagne method.
