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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanctext
92POINTS
17/20

Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThis is a current release from the 2014 vintage, so you can expect a serious wine in your glass. With fruit from Rapaura and Renwick, this was gently pressed and settled over 24 hours before partial native ferment in French barrels (8% new) over a slow 4-5 months, with partial MLF. It remained there on lees until the following spring when barrels were tasted and blended and bottled. Quite up front and potent, with nettle, capsicum, hedgerow, lemon verbena, key lime, white grapefruit all jockeying for position at the fore, while a savoury honeycomb lees note beds the base. Very textural and gripped with broken stones and wood spice, while acidity holds this medium+ bodied white taut and strident. There is a lot going on here, so give it some time in the glass (and let it warm some) before pairing with umami-filled Japanese or Vietnamese dishes, or give this unique Kiwi sauvy another couple of years in the cellar.Tasted: 19 October 2021Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
BC$59.49750mlestimated retail
AB$74.45750mlestimated retail in select private wine shops
MB$58.65750mlManitoba Liquor Mart
QC$54.00750mlSAQ
Producer: Cloudy Bay Vineyards LimitedDistributors: Charton-Hobbs
Grape: Sauvignon BlancCSPC: 217653UPC: 9418408040015