Handford Wines

Cloudy Bay was established in 1985 by David Hohnen of Cape Mentelle, Western Australia. Both have since been bought by Veuve Clicquot. The winery has enjoyed amazing success and is sold, in the northern hemisphere, by allocation. It takes its name from the bay at the extremity of the valley, named by Captain Cook on his voyage to New Zealand in 1770. Much of the planting was done in 1986, on the 60 hectares available, and so the vines are now mature. Grapes are sourced from elsewhere in the Marlborough region too.

The Wine

Pinot noir thrives in Marlborough where Cloudy Bay has planted the best clones to prime vineyard locations which yield the finest fruit. Crop levels are carefully controlled to ensure the grapes have great concentration of flavour, enhanced by tried and true hands-off, minimalist winemaking practices. Cloudy Bay is always richly layered, pleasingly, floral, dry and fruit driven, medium bodied and finely structured. Scarlet colour. Opulent aromas of dark plum and cardamom are enhanced by scents of liquorice and hints of toasty oak. The palate is highly concentrated with black cherry and red berries supported by silky tannins through to a long and generous finish. Cloudy Bay reflects the synergy between fine burgundian clones of pinot, and the idyllic Marlborough microclimes. "Smart pinot wine with juicy fruit and marvelous, astringent tannins that work as a foil against the captivating cherry fruit of this classic from Marlborough. Velvety and satisfying, complexed by nice cigarbox oak, tarragon and earthy, barnyard influences, closing to puckering but flavourful acids!"

Single Bottle: £24.95

In a case of 12: £23.70