Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2023
LVMH (Moët Hennessy) · Cloudy Bay Vineyards, Marlborough, New Zealand
Cloudy Bay didn’t just put New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on the map — it drew the map. Founded in 1985 as one of Marlborough’s first five wineries, it was Cloudy Bay that British critic Oz Clarke tasted before declaring New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc “arguably the best in the world.” Four decades later, the wine is still a benchmark. The 2023 vintage was blended from 55 of 81 individually fermented vineyard lots, with that tiny percentage of wild yeast and large-format oak adding just enough savory complexity to lift it above the pack. Named after the bay Captain Cook charted in 1770, it’s a wine that carries its geography in every sip.
Nose
Honeydew melon, passionfruit, vibrant citrus, fresh blackcurrant leaf
Palate
Concentrated and elegant — makrut lime, lemongrass, Meyer lemon, grapefruit skin, stone fruit, hint of sea air
Finish
Long and complex with refreshing saline edge and fresh-squeezed lemon acidity
- Varietal
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Blend
- 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Cocktail Suggestion
Cocktail — The Cloudy Bay Spritz: 4 oz Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc · 1 oz Aperol · 2 oz sparkling water · Fresh grapefruit wedge. Build in a large wine glass over ice.
Food Pairing
Pair with: Fresh ceviche with lime, cilantro, and avocado — the wine’s bright acidity and tropical fruit are a natural partner for raw fish.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Ron Zacapa Edición Negra
Ron Zacapa
Edición Negra takes Zacapa's high-altitude solera system and pushes it toward heavier charred casks, producing a darker, more brooding rum than its siblings. The result is a spirit that trades some of the Centenario 23's honeyed charm for genuine complexity and a savory edge. Whether you sip it neat or pair it with a robust dessert, this is rum built for contemplation.
Michter's 10 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Michter's
Michter's 10 Year exemplifies the discipline of selecting barrels that can handle a full decade without tipping into over-oaked bitterness. This is bourbon that rewards slow sipping — each minute in the glass unlocks new layers. A benchmark for what extended aging should accomplish in Kentucky whiskey.
Don Pilar Añejo Tequila
Don Pilar
Don Pilar's Añejo delivers genuine agave character that has been shaped, not masked, by eighteen months in oak. This is añejo the way it should be done — the wood serves the spirit, not the other way around. At its price point, it competes well above its weight class, offering depth and balance that many pricier añejos struggle to achieve.
Jensen's Old Tom London Gin
Jensen's
Christian Jensen spent years researching nineteenth-century recipes to reconstruct an authentic Old Tom profile. The result is not a novelty — it is a genuine revival, offering a window into what gin tasted like before London Dry became the dominant style. Essential for anyone building a historically informed Martinez or Tom Collins.
Kuentz-Bas Alsace Riesling Grand Cru Pfersigberg 2022
Kuentz-Bas
Kuentz-Bas has quietly produced exceptional Alsatian wines since 1795, and this Grand Cru Riesling from the south-facing Pfersigberg vineyard is a compelling argument for the house's patience and precision. Dry, taut, and deeply mineral, it is Riesling that asks you to wait — give it thirty minutes of air, or better yet, a year or two in your cellar, and it will repay you generously.
Château de Villeneuve Saumur Blanc 2023
Château de Villeneuve
Château de Villeneuve is one of Saumur's quiet benchmarks, producing Chenin Blanc that captures the Loire's limestone essence without artifice. The 2023 vintage benefits from ideal harvest conditions, delivering a wine that's simultaneously refreshing and substantive. At this price, it's one of the best values in serious white wine.
Domaine des Héritiers du Comte Lafon Mâcon-Milly-Lamartine 2023
Héritiers du Comte Lafon
When Dominique Lafon—the man behind some of Burgundy's most coveted Meursaults—turned his attention to the Mâconnais in 1999, the results were predictably excellent. This entry-level white delivers a compelling push-pull between ripe fruit generosity and limestone-driven tension. It's Burgundy Chardonnay at its most honest and accessible.
Weingut Bründlmayer Grüner Veltliner Kamptaler Terrassen 2023
Bründlmayer
Bründlmayer is one of Austria's most respected estates, and this Kamptaler Terrassen bottling is the ideal introduction to their work. It delivers everything you want from Grüner at this level: peppery snap, mineral tension, and effortless drinkability. The 2023 vintage is bright and precise, built for the table. Pair it with anything from asparagus to sushi and let the wine's acidity do the heavy lifting.