Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir

Marlborough is Sauvignon Blanc country — that's true. But Cloudy Bay has been showing for years that the region can also produce Pinot Noir with depth and structure.

The winery at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island is one of the region's pioneers: founded in 1985, it has shaped the style of New Zealand white wine worldwide. The Pinot Noir benefits from the cool Marlborough climate and the clay soils of the Wairau Valley — long ripening on the vine, well-preserved acidity, and fine tannins.

In the glass, it displays aromas of ripe sour cherry, blackberry, and a hint of cedar. The palate is medium-bodied, the texture silky, the tannins soft and well-integrated. The finish brings a light earthy note that gives the wine grip and character.

• Food pairings: Salmon fillet, duck breast, mushroom risotto or grilled rack of lamb.
• Serving temperature: 16–18 °C
• Drinking window: now until 2027