About This Wine
The 2023 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc remains the definitive benchmark for Marlborough white wine, embodying the precision, vibrancy, and global prestige that catapulted New Zealand onto the international wine stage.
Founded in 1849 in concept—and debuting its iconic first release in 1985—Cloudy Bay was acquired by luxury titan LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). Under LVMH’s stew...
About This Wine
The 2023 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc remains the definitive benchmark for Marlborough white wine, embodying the precision, vibrancy, and global prestige that catapulted New Zealand onto the international wine stage.
Founded in 1849 in concept—and debuting its iconic first release in 1985—Cloudy Bay was acquired by luxury titan LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). Under LVMH’s stewardship, the estate has leveraged state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and global distribution power without losing the meticulous, small-lot attention to detail that defines its style. LVMH treats Cloudy Bay as one of its flagship global wine Maisons, positioning it alongside prestige houses like Dom Pérignon, Château d'Yquem, and Cheval Blanc.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 growing season presented cooler conditions early on, resulting in lower yields and exceptional concentration in the Wairau Valley fruit. To build extra texture and depth without sacrificing signature freshness, the winemaking team fermented roughly 5% of the blend in large-format oak vats and wild yeast vessels before assembling the final cuvée.
On the nose, the 2023 vintage bursts with high-toned aromatics of ripe honeydew melon, passionfruit, key lime, and freshly crushed blackcurrant leaf.
The palate is intensely focused, vibrant, and layered. A wave of tropical fruit and white peach is framed by crisp, electric acidity and notes of makrut lime, lemongrass, and grapefruit peel. A subtle, saline ocean-air minerality cuts through the mid-palate, leading into a long, mouthwatering finish that feels both generous and remarkably precise.
