Cloudy Bay
Central Otago Te Wahi Pinot Noir 2021
| Denomination | N/A |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% by volume |
| Area | New Zealand (New Zealand) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Pinot Nero |
| Aging | After 12 months of ageing in French oak barriques (30% new), the wine was bottled. |
- Type and origin: Still red Pinot Noir 2021 from Central Otago, New Zealand
- Aromas: Notes of bramble, wild strawberries and light hints of violet
- Taste: Hints of plum and small hedgerow fruits, fine tannins and pronounced freshness
- Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts in open vats up to 30°C
- Ageing and potential: 12 months in French oak barriques, ageing potential of 10–15 years
Description
What kind of wine it is
Cloudy Bay Central Otago Te Wahi Pinot Noir is a still red wine that precisely expresses the unique characteristics of its homeland. Made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes, it boasts an intense and fragrant aromatic profile, characterised by notes of bramble and wild strawberry, enriched with delicate hints of violet. On the palate, it reveals an elegant core of plum and forest fruits, supported by ultra-fine tannins and a vibrant freshness. The structure of this wine makes it the ideal choice to accompany important dinners, offering a tasting experience that is defined and true to the nature of the grape variety.
Where it comes from
The grapes for this project come from Central Otago, a New Zealand wine region renowned for its distinctive soils and unique climate. The wine is produced by Cloudy Bay, a winery that has established itself as a benchmark in the New Zealand wine scene. The pedoclimatic environment of Central Otago allows the grapes to develop a distinctive flavour tension. This specific territorial origin gives the wine remarkable ageing potential, making it suitable for extended cellaring, where it can mature and develop further aromatic complexity over time.
How it is produced
The harvest is carried out entirely by hand during a period that allows for the slow and optimal ripening of the fruit. In the winery, most of the bunches are destemmed, with a small portion left whole for an initial cold maceration. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in open-top vats thanks to the action of indigenous yeasts, with daily punch-downs to manage extraction at controlled temperatures. Afterwards, the wine is aged for twelve months in French oak barrels, gaining harmony before being bottled to best showcase its elegant structure.
History and Curiosities
Founded in 1985, Cloudy Bay is the pioneering winery that made New Zealand famous on the global wine scene. The Te Wahi Pinot Noir 2021 expresses the vibrant essence of Central Otago, the result of meticulous hand harvesting. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts and maturation in French oak barriques create an elegant Pinot Noir with ultra-fine tannins, enhanced by notes of plum and wild strawberry. A prestigious label awarded 94 points by James Suckling, capable of evolving beautifully for up to fifteen years.
Awards
-
2021
94/100
James Suckling is an influential American wine critic and journalist who worked at Wine Spectator for 30 years. He left the magazine in 2010 to start his own website and guidebook (JamesSuckling.com). He specialises in Italian and Bordeaux wines.
-
2021
90/100
Wine spectator is the most influential wine guide on the internet.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
16 - 18 °C
Longevity:
10 - 15 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
- Start up year: 1985
The winery was named after Cloudy Bay, a stretch of water explorer Captain James Cook came across during his voyage to New Zealand in 1770. His discovery coincided with flooding in the region, which washed large amounts of sediment into the sea. Noticing the water’s opaque appearance, Cook cleverly christened the area Cloudy Bay.
Today, Cloudy Bay not only captures the essence of Marlborough but also embodies New Zealand's luxury to the world. The luxury of space and time, of intimate moments and nature’s rarest qualities. Read more
| Name | Cloudy Bay Central Otago Te Wahi Pinot Noir 2021 |
|---|---|
| Type | Red still |
| Denomination | N/A |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Pinot Nero |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | New Zealand |
| Vendor | Cloudy Bay |
| Story | History and Curiosities Founded in 1985, Cloudy Bay is the pioneering winery that made New Zealand famous on the global wine scene. The Te Wahi Pinot Noir 2021 expresses the vibrant essence of Central Otago, the result of meticulous hand harvesting. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts and maturation in French oak barriques create an elegant Pinot Noir with ultra-fine tannins, enhanced by notes of plum and wild strawberry. A prestigious label awarded 94 points by James Suckling, capable of evolving beautifully for up to fifteen years. |
| Origin | Central Otago, New Zealand |
| Harvest | Between 30 March and 15 April |
| Fermentation temperature | Maximum 30 °C |
| Production technique | Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts |
| Wine making | The grapes for Te Wahi were mostly destemmed into open-top fermenters, with 15% whole bunches; they underwent five days of cold maceration before spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Cap management was carried out with punch-downs one to four times a day, with a maximum fermentation temperature of 30°C. Total skin contact ranged from 17 to 25 days; pressing was decided based on tasting. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak barriques (30% new), then bottled. |
| Aging | After 12 months of ageing in French oak barriques (30% new), the wine was bottled. |
| Total acidity | 5.2 gr/L |
| PH | 3.65 |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |