Community Tasting Note

Epsom Boy wrote:

Friday, September 29, 2017 - 2013 CLOUDY BAY TE KOKO SAUVIGNON BLANC
94 Points

The long-time NZ classic of the 'oaked' style Sav, Te Koko is all about weight, complexity and age-worthiness. Top quality fruit was harvested in the cool of night and fermented in mostly old oak, adding heaps of texture but only a touch of 'oaky' character to complement the many layers of ripe fruit, mineral and yeast-influenced complexity. Impressive.
$48.99
Overview
Grape
Sauvignon Blanc

Its Origins
Established in 1985 by Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay Vineyards is situated in the Wairau Valley in Marlborough at the northern end of New Zealand’s South Island. This unique and cool wine region enjoys a maritime climate with the longest hours of sunshine of any place in New Zealand. Cloudy Bay has estate vineyards located at prime sites within the Wairau Valley, and long-term supply agreements with five Wairau Valley growers. The main varieties grown are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and pinot noir with lesser quantities of gewurztraminer, Riesling, and pinot gris.

What The Critics Say
96/100 Bob Campbell MW (2012 vintage)
"Ever wondered why Te Koko doesn’t feature “Sauvignon Blanc” on the front label? It’s because Te Koko is less about a grape variety and more about an array of tastes and textures many of which have nothing to do with grape flavour. Once you take that notion on board it’s easy to relax and enjoy the experience of a complex and texturally pleasing wine. Yes, you can pick ripe Sauvignon Blanc flavours if you concentrate, but it’s easy to be distracted by the array of nut, bran biscuit and spicy flavours that make the wine so interesting. The texture is rich, smooth and mouth-filling. 6/8/2015"

4.5 Stars Michael Cooper (2012 vintage)
"Te Koko o Kupe ('The Oyster Dredge of Kupe') is the original name for Cloudy Bay; it is also the name of the Marlborough winery's intriguing oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc. The 2012 vintage (4.5*), grown in the Wairau Valley and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (only 8 per cent new, to ensure a subtle oak influence), was matured in wood on its yeast lees until October 2013, and part of the blend went through a softening malolactic fermentation. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with generous, tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, slightly nutty and long. Weighty and complex, with good richness and harmony, it is a slightly 'greener' wine than usual, reflecting the cool growing season. Te Koko lies well outside the mainstream regional style of Sauvignon Blanc, but it is well worth discovering."

93/100 Wine Advocate, Lisa Perrotti-Brown (2012 vintage)
"The 2012 Te Koko is redolent of honeyed peaches, pink grapefruit and passion fruit with an undercurrent of cedar and baking bread. Medium-bodied with a lovely silken texture and tons of tropical and toast flavor layers, it finishes long."

Stats & Food Matching
Variety
Sauvignon Blanc
Colour
White
Region
Marlborough
Closure
Cap
Volume
750ml
This Wine Goes Well With

with CHICKENwith PORKwith SALMON
Taste

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