Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir
The flavours unfold gracefully, starting with the bright, juicy notes of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, followed by deeper, more complex layers of blackberry and plum
Wine Type
Grape(s)
Alcohol %
Bottle Size
Location
£12
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir
Imagine yourself on a cool evening, sitting by a cosy fireplace. You pour a glass of Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir and immediately notice its vibrant ruby red colour, catching the light beautifully. As you bring the glass to your nose, you’re greeted by an inviting bouquet of ripe cherries and raspberries, intertwined with subtle hints of spice and earth. It’s like a walk through a sun-dappled forest, where the air is filled with the scent of wild berries and fresh soil.
Taking your first sip, the wine’s silky texture glides effortlessly across your palate. The flavours unfold gracefully, starting with the bright, juicy notes of red fruits like cherry and raspberry, followed by deeper, more complex layers of blackberry and plum. There’s a delightful hint of clove and cinnamon, adding warmth and depth to the experience. The balanced acidity keeps everything lively and refreshing, making each sip a pleasure.
As you savour the wine, you notice the fine-grained tannins that provide structure without overwhelming the delicate fruit flavours. The finish is long and smooth, leaving a lingering impression of fruit and spice that invites you to take another sip. It’s a wine that feels both luxurious and approachable, perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying on your own as you unwind after a long day.
Pairing this wine with a dish like mushroom risotto or roasted lamb enhances the experience, as the earthy and savoury flavours complement the wine’s complexity. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a quiet moment, Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir offers a rich, sensory journey that makes every moment memorable.
Appearance: Vibrant ruby red colour.
Aroma:
- Red and dark berries (cherry, raspberry, blackberry)
- Subtle spice (clove, cinnamon)
- Earthy and floral undertones (mushroom, violet)
Palate:
- Silky texture
- Balanced acidity
- Red fruits (cherry, raspberry, strawberry)
- Dark fruits (blackberry, plum)
- Spices (clove, cinnamon, black pepper)
- Earthy notes (mushroom, forest floor, minerality)
Finish: Long and smooth with fine-grained tannins, lingering fruit and spice.
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, reflecting the unique terroir of Marlborough and Central Otago, New Zealand. The journey begins in the vineyard, where grapes are hand-picked to ensure only the highest quality fruit is selected. This careful harvesting process is crucial, as it preserves the integrity of the grapes and sets the stage for the exceptional wine that follows.
Once harvested, the grapes are de-stemmed and gravity-fed into open-topped fermentation vessels. This method allows for maximum extraction of flavours and tannins, essential for creating the rich, complex profile that Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir is known for. Fermentation is a delicate process, carefully monitored to achieve the perfect balance of fruit and structure.
After fermentation, the wine is matured in French oak barrels for approximately 11 months. This aging process in oak adds layers of complexity and depth, integrating the tannins and enhancing the wine’s overall structure. Additionally, the wine is aged on its lees, which contributes to its silky texture and rich flavour profile. The lees aging process involves leaving the wine in contact with the residual yeast cells, which impart additional character and body to the wine.
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir is designed to age gracefully, with optimal drinking windows varying by vintage. For instance, the 2021 vintage is expected to reach its peak between 2025 and 2031. This extended aging potential allows the wine to develop more nuanced flavours over time, such as leather, tobacco, and dried herbs, adding to its allure.
The commitment to sustainable practices and meticulous winemaking techniques ensures that each bottle of Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir is a true reflection of New Zealand’s unique terroir. Whether enjoyed young or aged to perfection, this wine offers a rich, sensory journey that is both luxurious and approachable.
Cloudy Bay Vineyards, established in 1985 by David Hohnen, is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s wine industry. Named after the nearby coastal area christened by Captain James Cook in 1770, the winery quickly gained international acclaim for its Sauvignon Blanc. The unique terroir of Marlborough, with its cool climate and well-drained soils, provides ideal conditions for growing this varietal. Early vintages received high praise from critics, notably British wine writer Oz Clarke, who helped establish Cloudy Bay’s reputation for producing world-class white wines.
In 2003, Cloudy Bay was acquired by Veuve Clicquot, becoming part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton portfolio. This acquisition allowed the winery to expand its reach and continue innovating. In 2014, Cloudy Bay extended its operations to Central Otago, diversifying its offerings. The winery combines state-of-the-art technology with traditional techniques, focusing on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Cloudy Bay aims to be herbicide-free by 2025, reflecting its commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the region.
Cloudy Bay’s portfolio includes its iconic Sauvignon Blanc, known for its vibrant aromatics and balanced acidity, as well as Te Koko, a premium Sauvignon Blanc aged in old French oak barrels. The winery also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the sparkling wine Pelorus, each crafted with the same dedication to quality and expression of terroir. Cloudy Bay continues to be a leader in the wine industry, celebrated for its exceptional wines and innovative practices.
Pinot Noir
At first glance, most Pinot Noir wines are pale to medium in color due to their thin skins. Pinot Noir has a unique profile dominated by aroma compounds known as esters. These give it a complex array of flavors, from ripe cherry and raspberry to intriguing undertones of forest floor, tea leaves, and sometimes even clove.
On the nose, Pinot Noir is all about the symphony of red fruits. Yet, it also unveils layers of earthiness, spice, and, when oak-aged, gentle wafts of vanilla and smoke. As it ages, you might catch hints of mushroom and leather.
On the palate Pinot Noir is usually light to medium-bodied, with lower tannins (thanks to those thinner skins) and high acidity, making it a wine of grace and subtlety. The alcohol levels tend to be moderate, usually around 12-14%, contributing to its silky and elegant mouthfeel.
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2021: Rated 92 points by Wine Enthusiast , highlighting its intense aromas and rich palate.
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2019: Received a Gold Ribbon from The Real Review , recognizing its excellence in winemaking.
Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir: The winery itself has gained international recognition, being nominated for the Wine Travel Awards
- Contains Sulphites
- Contains Yeast/Yeast Extracts
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Pinot Noir Wines available at Penventon Hotel
The Country
New Zealand has swiftly earned a reputation for producing top-quality wines, captivating wine enthusiasts worldwide. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of New Zealand wines:
Sauvignon Blanc: Marlborough, located in the South Island, is the benchmark setter for Sauvignon Blanc. Its pungently aromatic sauvignons are stunning examples, known for their zesty, tropical fruit flavours and lively acidity.
Chardonnay: New Zealand’s Chardonnays are characterized by mouth-filling fruit Flavours balanced by the country’s trademark zestiness.
The cool climate offers an opportunity for these aromatic varieties.
While young plantings sometimes rely more on sugar than fruit, the best New Zealand examples share the intensity and palate weight of great Alsace wines, with vibrant, lifted flavours.
In summary, New Zealand’s winemaking prowess extends beyond Sauvignon Blanc to include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Bordeaux blends, and Syrah. Its precise, pure Flavours continue to captivate wine drinkers worldwide
New Zealand Wines available at Penventon Hotel
The Region
Marlborough, located in the northeast of New Zealand’s South Island, is the country’s largest and most renowned wine region. This area is celebrated for its Sauvignon Blanc, which has gained international acclaim for its vibrant, aromatic, and tropical flavours. The region’s unique combination of a cool yet sunny climate, low rainfall, and free-draining, moderately fertile soils creates ideal conditions for viticulture.
Marlborough’s vineyards are primarily concentrated around the towns of Blenheim and Seddon, with the region divided into three main sub-regions: the Wairau Valley, the Awatere Valley, and the Southern Valleys. Each sub-region offers distinct microclimates and soil types, contributing to the diversity of wine styles produced. The Wairau Valley, for instance, is known for its old, gravelly riverbed soils and a range of meso-climates, while the Awatere Valley is cooler, drier, and windier, producing bright, aromatic wines.
In addition to Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough produces excellent Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and aromatic varieties such as Riesling and Pinot Gris . The region’s commitment to quality and innovation continues to push the boundaries of New Zealand winemaking, making Marlborough a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts.
Marlborough Wines available at Penventon Hotel
The Producer
Cloudy Bay Vineyards, established in 1985 by David Hohnen, is a cornerstone of New Zealand’s wine industry. Named after the nearby coastal area christened by Captain James Cook in 1770, the winery quickly gained international acclaim for its Sauvignon Blanc. The unique terroir of Marlborough, with its cool climate and well-drained soils, provides ideal conditions for growing this varietal. Early vintages received high praise from critics, notably British wine writer Oz Clarke, who helped establish Cloudy Bay’s reputation for producing world-class white wines.
In 2003, Cloudy Bay was acquired by Veuve Clicquot, becoming part of the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton portfolio. This acquisition allowed the winery to expand its reach and continue innovating. In 2014, Cloudy Bay extended its operations to Central Otago, diversifying its offerings. The winery combines state-of-the-art technology with traditional techniques, focusing on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Cloudy Bay aims to be herbicide-free by 2025, reflecting its commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the region.
Cloudy Bay’s portfolio includes its iconic Sauvignon Blanc, known for its vibrant aromatics and balanced acidity, as well as Te Koko, a premium Sauvignon Blanc aged in old French oak barrels. The winery also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and the sparkling wine Pelorus, each crafted with the same dedication to quality and expression of terroir. Cloudy Bay continues to be a leader in the wine industry, celebrated for its exceptional wines and innovative practices.
