The Hedonistic Taster | № 29 | Cloudy Bay

The Hedonistic Taster | № 29 | Cloudy Bay – New Zealand

by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML

A Tasse de dégustiation, or tastevin, is a silver tasting cup used by vignerons and negociants in Burgundy to taste wines. Most are presented as christening gifts at birth.

" data-orig-size="289,175" sizes="(max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" data-image-title="tastevin" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg" style="border:0;height:auto;max-width:100%;clear:both;display:block;margin:5px auto 10px;border-radius:2px;vertical-align:middle;" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2016/04/10/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-1/imgres-4/" alt="Tastevin" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg 289w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=150 150w" class="size-full wp-image-13244 aligncenter" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" />

“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer

Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster, an intimate showcase of artisan winemaker trade samples. The title “Hedonistic Taster” derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting,’ coined by legendary Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer.

These tasting notes compliment binNotes | Affordable Burgundy and beyond.“Beyond” includes existing and emerging producers of Pinot Noir worldwide.

Today’s Tasting: Cloudy Bay – New Zealand

In 1985, pioneer David Hohnen founded Cloudy Bay in Marlborough, New Zealand. One of the first wineries established in that remote wine region, Cloudy Bay derives its name from the region’s body of water so named by the explorer Captain Cook for its hazy sedimentary floodwaters flushed bayside.

In 2003, opulent lifestyle group LVMH purchased Cloudy Bay, subsequently ensconcing winemaker Tim Heath and viticulturist Jim White. The winery offers luxury premium wines sourced from exceptional single vineyard sites, as well as high value and quality regional blends.

These samples represent both entry and luxury level wines.

Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir provides an affordable entry to premium New Zealand Pinot Noir.

" data-orig-size="740,495" title="Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2015" data-image-title="Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2015" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/cloudybaypinot_noir15.jpg" style="width: 696px; height: 466px;" itemprop="http://schema.org/image" height="466" width="696" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/cloudybaypinot_noir15.jpg?w=300" data-original-height="466" alt="Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir blends fruit from a number of quality vineyards throughout the Marlborough wine region of New Zealand." data-original-width="696" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/cloudybaypinot_noir15.jpg?w=700" /> Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir blends fruit from a number of quality vineyards throughout the Marlborough wine region of New Zealand.

Wine: Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2015

Alcohol: 13.5%

Suggested Retail: $30

Producer Specs: Marlborough Pinot Noir
“The Pinot Noir fruit was entirely handpicked and de-stemmed before being gravity fed into the fermentation vessels. 13% of the fermentation was comprised of whole bunches. The fermentations utilised natural occuring yeast populations under carefully monitored conditions. The grape skins were gently plunged with an average of 18 days skin contact. After fermentation the wines were matured in French oak for 12 months, of which 35% was new.”

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Medium opaque garnet robe.

Nose: Graphite, roses, red cherry on the nose.

Palate: Blueberry, damson plum, persimmon bouche. Light body, medium acids, tannins, finish.

Suggested Pairings: A versatile pour that pairs well with soft cheeses, charcuterie, and savories.

Rating: 90. Superb entry-level introduction to New Zealand pinot noir.

Cloudy Bay’s Te-Wahi premium pinot noir sources its fruit from Central Otago’s Calvert Vineyard on Felton Road in Bannockburn, and newly acquired Northburn vineyard on the East bank of Lake Dunstan.

" data-orig-size="740,492" title="Cloudy Bay Te-Wahi14" data-image-title="Cloudy Bay Te-Wahi14" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/cloudybayte-wahi14.jpg" style="width: 696px; height: 463px;" itemprop="http://schema.org/image" height="463" width="696" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/cloudybayte-wahi14.jpg?w=300" data-original-height="463" alt="Cloudy Bay's Te-Wahi 2014 Pinot Noir derives its label name from the Maori term for "the place."" data-original-width="696" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/cloudybayte-wahi14.jpg?w=700" /> Cloudy Bay’s Te-Wahi 2014 Pinot Noir derives its label name from the Maori term for “the place.”

Wine: Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Pinot Noir

Vintage: 2014

Alcohol: 14%

Suggested Retail: $74

Producer Specs: “Selected vineyards in the Bannockburn, Bendigo and Lowburn subregions of the Cromwell bassin. The first vintage born from the alliance of our two owned- vineyards – Calvert and Northburn.

90% of the fruit was de-stemmed. Before fermentation in stainless steel the fruit was cold-soaked for 5 days . Wild yeast fermentation took between 2-3 weeks. The wines were hand plunged between 1-4 times daily. After fermentation, batches were lightly pressed and racked to barrel with 14 months aging in French oak of which 40% was new. Racked before bottling and lightly fined with egg white.”

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Medium dark, plummy garnet robe.

Nose: Dark plum, black cherry aromas, with a hint of spice.

Palate: Through-line of dark plum, black cherry, and blackberry on the bouche; medium light body, lyrical acids and tannins, plush finish. Opulent brilliance.

Suggested Pairings: A well-structured wine worthy of venison or richly truffled pasta.

Rating: 93

Learn more about Cloudy Bay Winery here.

Cloudy Bay | 230 Jacksons Rd, Blenheim 7240, New Zealand

More of The Hedonistic Taster here.

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