Cloudy Bay 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand

The name Cloudy Bay has become synonymous with outstanding New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Captain Cook coined the phrase on his voyage to New Zealand in 1770, giving the name to the bay at the east end of Wairau Valley. The winery and vineyards are situated there at the northern end of New Zealand's South Island. This unique, cool wine growing region enjoys a maritime climate with the longest hours of sunshine of any place in New Zealand. The winery owns over 200 acres of estate vineyards there and continues to turn out some of New Zealand's best wines. The Wine Advocate scored this 90 points saying "The 2017 Sauvignon Blanc may not go down as an all-time classic Cloudy Bay, but in a difficult vintage, the wine has turned out excellent. Hints of snow pea pods accent tropical fruit notes in a wine that is soft, round and harmonious, showing ample concentration and length despite the rain-plagued harvest. Unlike the 2005, a freakish vintage that continues to drink well, I'd opt for drinking the 2017 over the next year or two." and New Zealand wine specialist Bob Campbell MW scored this 94 points saying "It's no surprise to discover that this is one of the better examples of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from what was a fairly challenging vintage. Unlike many of its contemporaries, this wine does not have a hard acidity, although it is fair to say that the flavour profile has shifted slightly toward the cooler end of the spectrum with lime, grapefruit, lemongrass and red capsicum flavours. Good purity and power with a lengthy finish"