Tasting notes

Scented and summery, the 2008 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc has deliciously vibrant aromatics that infuse the tropical fragrance of fresh passionfruit and juicy pineapples with garden-fresh basil and the spiciness of crushed tomato leaves. The palate is long and succulent, combining exotic fruits with ripe, red capsicum and a twist of green olive... beautifully complemented by crisp natural acidity and a hint of lime zest.

Rating

Very pale straw-yellow. Sexy, pure aromas of soft citrus fruits, grapefruit and lemon oil, accented by peppery herbs. Dense, sweet and supple, with lovely lift and spicy high notes to the lemon, grapefruit and pineapple flavors. A broad, fruit-driven style of sauvignon with a light touch-and distinctly polite for this bottling, showing neither the outstanding intensity and grip of the best recent vintages nor the pronounced herbaceous character of the more difficult years. But this is harmonious from the outset. Steve Tanzer 90 points (Oct 2009)

Technical notes

Grapes were sourced from eight estate and grower vineyards located in the Rapaura, Fairhall, Renwick and Brancott sub-regions of the Wairau Valley. Free draining, stony soils typify the Rapaura and Renwick areas whilst Fairhall and Brancott are predominantly fine alluvial loams containing some clay. The majority of fruit was grown on the divided Scott Henry trellis system with the exception of a small percentage of young vines.