2023 Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 750ml

Awards, Ratings & Reviews

The Real Review (5 Stars)
#1 of 172 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough

About This Wine

Vintage Notes

The season began relatively unsettled, leading to inconsistent fruit-set and lower yields with looser bunches. This proved to be a blessing, as the mild and humid weather that followed required rigorous canopy management to handle disease pressure. "The ripening period in March and April was settled with cooler nights, helping to retain freshness, allowing the team to hand-pick each individual parcel when ready."

Vineyard Notes

Te Koko comes from older vines planted on the floor of the Wairau Valley. "The warm, free-draining gravelly soils of the Motukawa, Widow's Block, and Brook Street vineyards are ideal for Sauvignon Blanc."

Winemaking

After gentle pressing and settling for 24 hours, the juice was racked directly to French oak barrels and large format wooden cuves. Fermentation was initiated by indigenous yeasts and progressed slowly over four to five months. The wine rested in barrel on fine lees before blending. "The winemaking team finished the ageing using stainless steel, concrete tanks, and large-format wooden cuves to create a delicate balance."

Tasting Notes

Nose
Initially reticent, opening with time to reveal notes of just-ripe mango, lemon verbena, and juicy sun-warmed lemon.

Palate
Concentrated and mouthwateringly complex. The sun-warmed impression continues with notes of meadow hay, preserved citrus, and white nectarine. Layers of salted almond and a gentle smoky minerality lead through to a long and focused finish.

Food Pairing
Pairs well with Chinese-style crispy pork belly, vibrant spicy dishes, or smoked salmon.

About the Winery

Cloudy Bay Vineyards was established in 1985 as one of the first producers in the Marlborough region. The winery has multiple vineyards in the Wairau Valley sub-region, known for a strong maritime climate and long sunshine hours. Originally founded by David Hohnen, the estate is now part of the LVMH group.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2023
• Grape Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
• Region: Marlborough / New Zealand
  
• Alcohol: 13.5% 
  
• Acidity TA: 7.01 g/l
  
• Acidity pH: 3.01
• Maturation: Oaked
  
• Oak Type: French
• Ownership: LVMH
• Closure: Screw cap
• Drinking Window: 2025–2033