Just wow. 15 years old and this wine is fantastic. This is my first NZ Sauv Blanc with anything more than a few years on it, so I have no context for how these wines typically age, but this is a winner. Pours pale golden – color looks like it could be current release. The nose is super fresh and bright, but it doesn’t smell like typical young NZ Sauv Blanc. The aggressive citrus pith and cat pee aromatics have been toned way down. There are still smells of Meyer lemons and ruby grapefruit, and just a touch of cat pee if I’m being totally honest, but there are also rich aromas of clotted cream, sandalwood, honeysuckle, and even a little brininess. High acid in the mouth, still incredibly vibrant and youthful, concentrated, though less citrus-fruit forward than young Cloudy Bay, surprisingly rich bodied and textured. 15 years has transformed this wine into something rounder and richer than its original self while not taking away a bit of its vivacity.
It’s as if as this ages, it is slowly becoming more and more like a young white Burgundy, perhaps a Chablis. At this point in its evolution, it seems to 50% young NZ SB, 50% Burgundy. In fact, I switched from Zalto Universal to a big Burgundy stem after a while bc it seemed just as appropriate. This wine will easily go another 10 years, wish I had another one to open in 2032.
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Tasted this in cloudy bay northburn cellar door, comparing with fresh vintage 2020. It’s surprisingly intense and concentrated, honeysuckle, smoky notes, some citrus, some reduction, I suppose this makes the wine lasting that long!
Really well aged SB. The friendly staff suggested 2019 to cellar as long as this.
Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 4+4/10 Total 93/100
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Hugh Johnson said a ten year old bottle of SB on Xmas day is a great tradition, so I thought we'd give it a try...Wow, this bottle is very youthful, still has a lot of the citrus- this bottle would've gone another 5-10 years!! Who knew? Delish. Has the qualities of a youthful bottle, but more nuanced and smoothed out. Charming!
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Looking for best Sauvignon blanc: This bottle had more of expressive NZ SB character to it. Lots of exotic fruits and marzipan. Comparatively younger and more vulgar than the rest of the pack.
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the full citrus of a typical sav blanc has gone. We shared this saved treat with friends from USA for lunch with oysters. Initially not sure what to expect but was a delicious match. Thank you Cloudy Bay
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Not unlike mature oaked European Sauvignons with time it has turned into a Chardonnay. Intensely smoky with a bit of flowery aromatics, dense nose with lime/lemon candied qualities on the palate. This has nothing to do with your typical NZ SB, it was reminiscent of an oaked NW Chardonnay. Very good and interesting.
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Now at 7 yrs old - medium yellow, lovely nose, leesy, almost as if it had seen oak, smoky, nutty - the lime and grapefruit are gone, replaced by nice stone fruit, earthy, nutty, complex flavours - round, smooth, very intense. Aging beautifully.
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A captivating nose of ripe oranges, peach and honey as well as petrol, wool and chalk. Dry and creamy white peach to lychee palate with nice balance, minerally vibes and floral accents. Good length. Very good indeed. Riesling-like.
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age just perfect, still very fresh but with lovely mellow fuit character now, nose fine, classy, restrained, palate with perfect balance between fruit and acid, long persistent lifted finish, just lovely now, excellent example of the class, complexity and power of this wine at its peak
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Open and aromatic on the slightly honeyed nose with petrol character, bread and salt liquorice complementing the ripe passion fruit. Dry and round palate with good structure and ripe fruit. Dairy touches, minerally nuances and nuts. Long finish. Huge fun! Refined Rieslingesque stuff. Okay, my first more aged Cloudy Bay and this kicks ass.
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Bella sorpresa. Giallo paglierino con riflessi verdolini. Naso ampio e intenso di buccia di agrumi e salvia con note erbacee molto evidenti ed il varietale abbastanza sussurrato. Bocca di bell'equilibrio tra la morbidezza ed una bella spina acida. Finale lunghissimo di kiwi e uva spina. Vino ancora giovanissimo con 4-5 anni davanti.
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Worried that I'd left this too long. Shouldn't have, best of the case so far. Colour now darker than pale, still lemon tinged. Nose subtle rather than subdued. Still some citrus freshness but with depth and promise, a fatter, richer, integrated nose rather than defined SB. A very well knit mouth feel and a balance between the mineral/acid gooseberry and the tropical fruit sweets. Finish long and developing. Yum.Only one left now.....
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Great SB from CB. The 2007 seems to be getting better despite it being almost 5 years old. Still fresh with some typical citrus flavours, but it has a roundness and body slightly more developed than when only a couple of years old. Well done again CB.
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Contrary to the stated drinking widow, I prefer NZ SBs with a few years on them, so their acidity is less in your (more importantly, my) face. SB is one of my least favourite grapes, but I don't mind this at all.
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Very, very good. Was making Fondue and it called for a NZ Sauv Blanc or some European wines I did not have so I used this. The Fondue was great and the wine was even better. Dry, crisp, fresh and good level of acidity. Very light in color. Very enjoyable
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first time I have cloudy bay and probably not the last; very light color; nose gooseberry, toast and hint of basil; on the palate also minerality; good acidity, long finish; the only question - is it really good value for money ?
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We have never drunk of the legend previously and even had this bottle on the rack for quite some time; in a whim and with a desire for something "special" I pulled the cork Friday. Pale yellow-green with a subdued nose, primarily mineral, with some wisps of grassy herbality (nice word). Unlike so many of the NZ SBs that take you by the throat with the full-on assault, this is much more nuanced and rounded; you might almost say smooth, with tropical notes (Asian pear?), lime, grapefruit, acidity aplenty of course, nice mouthfeel, minerality. Not so aggressive as your typical NZ, nor as lean as a good Loire, nor as ripe as a CA version. Would I pay the price for a repeat? Maybe not. There's the point.
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pale yellow gold, moderate to light intensity in nose with citrus, apple and gooesberry, light+ body, crispy and refreshing, a textbook Marlborough SB, a little aged but still drink OK
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No longer as crisp or tart as it really ought to be. More earthy and grassy that these are in their youth, no remaining tropical notes. That said, it's still a nice enough SB, but probably drinking a year past its prime. Drink up.
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A refreshing nose of currant leaves, lime, green apple and some flinty nuances. A touch of tropical fruit. Dry, medium bodied and crispy on the palate. Grapefruit, lime and gooseberry. Salt liquorice, pepper, and minerality. Good lenght with some bitterness. I often find these NZ SB's, (esp.) with a couple of bottle years, quite charming. With this Cloudy Bay I first got some bland cardboard-like aromas and thought "blaah, that's it" - but after being open for some hours the wine really started to live again. Very nice minerality and overall a refreshing palatal feel with good fruit bringing some weight. An appealing cohesive roundness due to the age.
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Light platinium shiny colour. Aromatic bouquet of blackcurrant leaves, gooseberry and freshly cut grass. On the palate refreshing,with fresh acidity and distinct fruit (gooseberry). Slightly bitter, citrussy finish.
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Lovely example of NZ Sauv Blanc. Sweet, fruity and crisp. You drink these because thats what you want and Cloudy Bay is guaranteed to never give you a nasty surprise
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Grapefruit, zesty, a little green. Crisp, balanced, smooth and a good long finish. Hints of lychee or similar. Nice. Too expensive compared to alternatives.
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Dette synes jeg var en vin for spesielt interesserte. Luktet friskt og godt. Smakte som svært syrlig tynn grønnsakssuppe, med innslag av gress, nestler, løpstikke og selleri. Fruktigheten druknet i det vegetale preget. Mulig noe feil med min flaske? Var nærmest udrikkelig til nykokt krabbe.
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Last bottle and probably a good thing. Upon opening it was very weak and almost watered down. After about 20 minutes it showed the crispness that we love in this wine. The standard grapefruit citrus was there. Drink up, on to the '08's.
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Restaurant purchase. Pale lemon hue. Aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry, and fresh cut grass. Medium-light body. Flavors are of the typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc variety and really mirror the nose. However, an herbaceous streak is seemingly more pronounced than the fruit and could be a distraction for some. Well-balanced acidity. Not much to set it apart from other examples that sell for half the price.
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Good, fairly complex and dry Sav Blanc. I had this next to a Kim Crawford and this is much more like a Chablis. This is dry, without a lot of fruit and more of a minerality. The Kim Crawford had much more fruit and seemed sweeter.
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Everything you would expect from a New Zealand SB. Very pale in colour with a greenish tinge, zippy nose of gooseberry, citrus fruits, cut grass. Good depth of flavour and acidity, definite mineral edge to it. I wouldn't call it great value for money but none the less very enjoyable.
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Light straw color and light tropical notes with a tad of citrus on the nose...crisp entry with a nice dry quality with just enough fruit to balance as before.
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A very good wine - crisp, tangy, lots of grapefruit flavor - but I was a bit disappointed. I was expecting it to be a lot better than Kim Crawford S.B. (since it was almost twice the price), but thought they were pretty close to even in quality/taste.
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Used 1/2 cup of this for a sauce to serve over pan seared pollock. Tasted again and the nose and palate were very consistent with my previous tasting on 2/23/09. Good, not oustanding. I still think the Kim Crawford of the same vintage is better overall and certainly better QPR. 50+5+12+15+5=87
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Light to medium lemon, clear throughout. Nose of gooseberry, citrus and herbaceous notes. Similar palate. High acidity, light body, shorter finish. Good.
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Pale lemon, clear. Lighter nose of citrus fruits, gooseberry and pear. Flavours of grapefruit, lemon grass, steely notes. Light body, high acidity, short finish. For less money Kim Crawford is as good, if not better. Drink now. Good.
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This is a very good, not outstanding SB. In the glass it was a pale yellow with some nice greenish tinting to it. Really lovely to look at. Light floral aromas meshed with lemon zest, gooseberry and wet grass on the nose. The flavor profile revealed bright citrus, grapefruit for sure, some minerality and the SB cliche of wet stones. This wine has nice balance with a very crisp acidity which makes it very refreshing. Really well integrated with a light mouth feel the finish was medium in length with more lemon, grapefruit and gooseberry. I really like this wine - very good. 50+5+12+15+5=87
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Fantastic - reminded me of when I first tasted Cloudy Bay about 14 years ago! Very powerful nose of gooseberries and lychees. Full palate with searing acidity, but real fruit and length too.
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Drank at Blue Water - Notes from memory. Opened and served right away. Earthy nose with some citrus notes as well. Flavours green fruit and lemon grass. Good minerality and acidity. Very good.
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Straightforward NZ sauvie, with grapefruit dominating. Another non-distinguished Cloudy Bay. Lacks the energy and verve of the '90s vintages. I suppose growers from those vintages have started their own wineries by now. How else to explain the slide to mediocrity?
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Second bottle of '07 CB, interestingly this one was a definite improvement on the first. NOSE: lovely floral notes coming through, TASTE: The difference from the last bottle, more fruit, citrus taste with nice, crisp acidity and quite a good finish. All in all, very nice. Got 2 bottles left, be interesting to see how they compare.
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Okay showing on this, though I was hoping for more substance - specifically this is decently sharp and has some good floral notes, but the citrus seems buried, along with that hint of spice you often get with NZ whites. In general the wine seems flat, especially on the tongue. Overall this is a shadow of what many of the more forward Marlboroughs are (Kim Crawford being the obvious example), and for me has a low QPR. Would probably not seek out...
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Typical NZ Sav, light colour, fragrant nose. Nicely balanced acidity with a good finish, all in all a good NZ Sav. But, seems a weaker Cloudy Bay than a few years back when the wine seemed to offer more, unfortunately the price is still at that premium point. It's a good wine but a bit over priced now.
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SMELL: Very aromatic. Floral and citrus dominate the nose. TASTE: Very crisp and refreshing. Better than I remembered the last bottle of Cloudy Bay SB tasting.
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Color was just a suggestion of green in the glass. Nose was the sucker punch of the perfume counter at Macy's with a hint of grapefruit which dominated (the grapefruit) the palate with a strong minerality. Long finish for me. Nice, but I prefer the '07 Kim Crawford even if it were the same price, yet it's half. Would be excited if this were served to me, but I'd serve the Crawford or the Spy Valley before this, but I sure wouldn't kick this one out. Solid. Zing!
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This was my first bottle of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc in a few years. I used to buy this wine frequently, and recommend it to friends as an excellent, concentrated, almost archetypal example of the litterboxy musk that is one of the principal flavors that Sauvignon Blanc has to offer.
It seems like Cloudy Bay has drastically changed their approach since the last vintage I tasted. This wine tasted dilute, almost watered down, and the musk was all but gone. The approach now seems to be to produce a sweet, citrusy wine like other Marlborough producers do. Only this one costs more than most of them, and isn't as good as some. It's a shame.
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Very light straw color with a touch of lime and green apple and maybe some other wandering tropical notes. Crisp, clean, and dry with enough fruit texture to balance. Great with a variety of seafood at dinner.
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Nose of fresh cut grass (almost like a baseball field,) wet rocks and citrus. Great lift to the wine on the palate, crisp acidity and a nice finish that ties this wine up really well.
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Very good SB. Expensive, but a great showing of young SB. Grassy, cirtus fruit nose with hints of peach and minerals. Very good on the palate with clear acidity, yet good balance. Hints of apple on the palate.
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At The Dining Room: CB seems to have become more understated - this was nettles and grass, very fresh, and without the exotic fruit quality I remember it having
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Pretty good SB, just not quite as good as it hyped up to be., Grassy, lemon-limey, mineral nose, and also a hint of pineapple at the tail end. I like the balance and the structure of this bottle, not as fruity as most of New Zealand SB, but still plenty of tropical fruit and mineral on the month feel. Crisp, clean taste, beware the style is more toward Sancerre than your topical SB from this region.
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KL, Malaysia. Typically asparagus and goodeberry nose; quite zingy, mineral, just starting to show signs of rounding a little but still with a good bite to it. Better in a year or so. Good though. **1/2
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Tried this out of the freezer to see if it would have any effect on the disappointing showing last time.
Nose is, as expected, more restrained, but shows a sweeter, more ethereal nose of white flowers, peach and passionfruit. The attack is less acidic than last time, and recalls lime, grapefruit and even a little wet slate! At this temperature the acid feels more like a slight carbonation, and the whole package seems less spicy and more integrated. A 20-second finish of grapefruit and something that seems oddly familiar -- like an apple skin -- but I can't quite place my finger on it.
A better showing from this wine than last time, but still not worth the price. Can't wait for Kim Crawford to release Spitfire again ...
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Amazing nose, really strong aromas of peach schnapps and tomato plants. Good acidity, but balanced by citrus fruit, with metallic notes to taste and a good clean finish. It may be over-hyped, but this really is a text book Sauvignon Blanc, refreshing, balanced and a great accompaniment to a Summer evening.
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acidity was a bit too high for me, but really enjoyed this otherwise. green apple and lime with the SB grassy flavors, medium body, the long finish that transitions nicely makes it a 90 point wine to me.
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Value for money is not really featuring here. This was a good, crisp Sauvignon Blanc but nothing oustanding and certainly has equivalents around at half the price. Citrus and grass on the nose, pretty fresh. Quite green at first and fruity but not overly so and soon gives way to a more mineral feel. Finish has tropical fruits - sweet but not hugely aromatic. But fades fast with, for me, too much acidity
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Not a bad bottle, but not a great one. Lacked the trademark jalapeno intensity of great vintages of this white. Displays more minerality than the '06, but less fruit intensity, a slightly leaner weight, and a rather simple, short finish. Still very well-balanced, guava and melon flavours (lacking some of the tropical that I usually associate with CB) with a good amount of herbaceousness. Medium-bodied, good but not $35-a-bottle concentration, and great acidity.
87 points would be an impartial rating, but I have to knock a point off for lack of value. Lots of sub-$20 SBs can deliver the same quality (Kim Crawford, Matua Paretai, Dog Point, etc).
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This was quitnice, with loads of gooseberry and high acidity. Begging for a hot summer day. That doesn't change my wonder of why people pay $30 for this when there are so many NZ SB's just as good out there for half the price. But hey, at least the juice is good.
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Refreshing nose of currant leaves, nettle and grapefruit as well as some flint notes. Dry, crispy and greasy on the palate, some rhubarb and gooseberry add to the flavor profile otherwise similar to nose. Long. Stylish and balanced, but could use a couple of years of ageing. Though it's drinking nicely already in it's nervy youth. On Rocca's terrace.
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nose - grass. Mouth - good acidity but flat midpalate. Structural flaws. Underimpressed. Tasted blind next to several other NZ Sauvignon Balncs and the 2007 Kim Crawford was far more jucy and fruity.
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13,50% alc., blassgelb, in der Nase kommt für mich der typische SB eigentlich nicht durch, jedenfalls sehr schmeichelnde gelbe Früchte, Ananas, Stachelbeere, leichte Honignoten, tropische Früchte, ganz zarter Feuerstein, sehr cremige Konsistenz, wunderbare Nase, zum Eintauchen, dicht, fest, guter Körper, für mich hat das Ähnlichkeiten mit wachauer Smaragden, alles wird durch eine optimale Säure gut ausbalanciert, eine sehr vergnügliche Angelegenheit. Bis auf den Preis. Sehr guter Wein, aber um € 22 bekommt man in AUT noch Besseres.
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Citrus fruits, melon and a subtle floral nose, very crisp and refreshing but with lots of fruit too, nicely balanced wine, very enjoyable on a warm summer evening on holiday in a Spanish villa
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Yummy NZ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Slightly floral nose (lavender?) with citrus and ripe melon. Juicy grapefruit with crisp acidity and distinct minerality in the mouth. Subtle honey flavor for a Marlborough. Drank while I cooked and with dinner -- it paired very well with our grilled salmon. I really liked this SB. Lots of wine in that bottle!
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Bright, clear, pale. Apples, lemons, green grass, gooseberry. High acidity, nice varietal character without being over-the-top. Bought duty-free in WLN, NZD32.95
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Wild overwhelming pink grapefruit will forever equal this my first Cloudy Bay. Acid overwhelms most other levels (little minerality, little floral or honey). Only after over an hour and a half after opening do new honey tones arise. Savage citrus fruit, I thought it was great. My girlfriend thought less of it, and was bothered by the acidity. Paired respectably with scallops/white wine/cream/bread crumbs, though the dish would have been better paired if it had some other less fatty and rounded taste a bit more than it did (scallion, fruit, spice, something). Winemaker says pH 3.11. Wondering how that compares.
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My first experience with Cloudy Bay and I have to say that it lived up to the billing. Wonderful nose of Grape fruit, fresh cut grass and minerals. Smooth mouth feel, but with wonderful crisp acidity on the finish. I'm not a fan of Sauv Blanc, but this is a damn good wine.
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Enjoyed with sushi, side by side with the 2004 Cloudy Bay Te Koko for the fun of comparing the a stainless-steel fermented SB with an oak-fermented SB from the same (and highly reputed) maker. The 2007 is classic Cloudy Bay SB: loads of grapefruit and gooseberry, with a nose of tropical fruit. I usually find "bracing acidity" to be an exaggeration when applied to Cloudy Bay SB, and the 2007 is indeed less aggressive and less tart than many other NZ SB examples (thankfully), and shows off some better rounded fruit flavors in the mouth, extending to lychee and finishing with a distinctive and very nice vegetal note, maybe snap pea and lemongrass. Again very nicely done. 90+ The 2004 Te Koko is completely different. The nose dominated by notes from oak, malolactic fermentation, and aging on the lees: not buttery (in a California style), but showing toasted pine nuts and a bit of waxy, smoky spice. The fruit is somewhat restrained in the mouth, too, with preserved lemon and green apple peel. This also has a green vegetal note. This comes off more like Bordeaux blanc than anything else I have reference points for. The Te Koko is more complex than the "standard" 2007 CB SB, but not really as succulent and delicious. My impression is that the oak treatment currently dominates this wine a little too much, and I can't really guess whether that is something that will resolve itself with time or not. If it does, the Te Koko could merit a score as high as 92, but tonight I'm saying 89. The table was evenly divided in preferring the 2007 CB and the 2004 Te Koko. I sided slightly with the stainless steel version as being a little more straighforwardly enjoyable; but the Te Koko is certainly the more thought-provoking wine.
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While a formal note was not made, it can be said that the wine shows the typical crisp acidity that is so characteristic of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, coupled with a certain spiciness which gives it interest. While I did like the wine, I would much rather buy two (or even three) conventionally-priced offerings.
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Color-med light for a sang blanc, clarity-slight haze, Aroma-lemon grass, flora, apricot, flavor- Green apple, short initial fruitiness, followed by sharp acidity on the back pallette, finish, short with an clean acidity finish
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Nothing to add that hasn't already been said. It's fresh, a little bit green, a little bit acidic. Nice flavours, good weight. Just not all that special for the price.
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Pale yellow /green. Intense aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit and possibly fennel. Also interestingly I was able to detect apple sherbert! Pleasing acidity and balance. Good length on the finish. My first Cloudy Bay.
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Great flavors of grapefruit and possible sour pear with honey. The nose was very simple, nothing too complex there. Overall a very enjoyable Sav. Blanc - Will buy again
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Very pale in colour. Some green tints. Classic NZ Sauvignon nose. Quite sharp tasting, very sour like a pear drop. Some minerality. Merely ok. Not great value for money. Laughable at £20.
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2/28/2022 - NoahCap wrote:
Just wow. 15 years old and this wine is fantastic. This is my first NZ Sauv Blanc with anything more than a few years on it, so I have no context for how these wines typically age, but this is a winner. Pours pale golden – color looks like it could be current release. The nose is super fresh and bright, but it doesn’t smell like typical young NZ Sauv Blanc. The aggressive citrus pith and cat pee aromatics have been toned way down. There are still smells of Meyer lemons and ruby grapefruit, and just a touch of cat pee if I’m being totally honest, but there are also rich aromas of clotted cream, sandalwood, honeysuckle, and even a little brininess. High acid in the mouth, still incredibly vibrant and youthful, concentrated, though less citrus-fruit forward than young Cloudy Bay, surprisingly rich bodied and textured. 15 years has transformed this wine into something rounder and richer than its original self while not taking away a bit of its vivacity.
It’s as if as this ages, it is slowly becoming more and more like a young white Burgundy, perhaps a Chablis. At this point in its evolution, it seems to 50% young NZ SB, 50% Burgundy. In fact, I switched from Zalto Universal to a big Burgundy stem after a while bc it seemed just as appropriate. This wine will easily go another 10 years, wish I had another one to open in 2032.
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12/11/2021 - firstgrowth Likes this wine: 92 Points
Absolutely delicious. Has a richness and creaminess not found in newer vintages, and has lost none of the crispness and citrus I love.
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7/28/2021 - evanqian wrote: 93 Points
Tasted this in cloudy bay northburn cellar door, comparing with fresh vintage 2020. It’s surprisingly intense and concentrated, honeysuckle, smoky notes, some citrus, some reduction, I suppose this makes the wine lasting that long!
Really well aged SB. The friendly staff suggested 2019 to cellar as long as this.
Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 4+4/10
Total 93/100
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12/25/2018 - winot Likes this wine: 92 Points
Hugh Johnson said a ten year old bottle of SB on Xmas day is a great tradition, so I thought we'd give it a try...Wow, this bottle is very youthful, still has a lot of the citrus- this bottle would've gone another 5-10 years!! Who knew? Delish. Has the qualities of a youthful bottle, but more nuanced and smoothed out. Charming!
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7/4/2016 - AV2012 wrote: 88 Points
Looking for best Sauvignon blanc: This bottle had more of expressive NZ SB character to it. Lots of exotic fruits and marzipan. Comparatively younger and more vulgar than the rest of the pack.
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3/11/2016 - allyb Likes this wine: 89 Points
the full citrus of a typical sav blanc has gone. We shared this saved treat with friends from USA for lunch with oysters. Initially not sure what to expect but was a delicious match. Thank you Cloudy Bay
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2/1/2016 - AV2012 wrote: 89 Points
Not unlike mature oaked European Sauvignons with time it has turned into a Chardonnay. Intensely smoky with a bit of flowery aromatics, dense nose with lime/lemon candied qualities on the palate. This has nothing to do with your typical NZ SB, it was reminiscent of an oaked NW Chardonnay. Very good and interesting.
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1/14/2015 - winot Likes this wine: 92 Points
Now at 7 yrs old - medium yellow, lovely nose, leesy, almost as if it had seen oak, smoky, nutty - the lime and grapefruit are gone, replaced by nice stone fruit, earthy, nutty, complex flavours - round, smooth, very intense. Aging beautifully.
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4/6/2014 - avp wrote:
A captivating nose of ripe oranges, peach and honey as well as petrol, wool and chalk.
Dry and creamy white peach to lychee palate with nice balance, minerally vibes and floral accents. Good length.
Very good indeed. Riesling-like.
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3/9/2014 - RossMcB Likes this wine: 90 Points
Showing a lot of character and soft fruits. The harder SB character has mellowed leaving a soft peach and exotic fruit flavour.
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6/21/2013 - red_man Likes this wine: 92 Points
age just perfect, still very fresh but with lovely mellow fuit character now, nose fine, classy, restrained, palate with perfect balance between fruit and acid, long persistent lifted finish, just lovely now, excellent example of the class, complexity and power of this wine at its peak
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1/21/2013 - avp wrote:
Open and aromatic on the slightly honeyed nose with petrol character, bread and salt liquorice complementing the ripe passion fruit.
Dry and round palate with good structure and ripe fruit. Dairy touches, minerally nuances and nuts. Long finish.
Huge fun! Refined Rieslingesque stuff. Okay, my first more aged Cloudy Bay and this kicks ass.
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10/27/2012 - Wrighty wrote:
Has some weight and shows the few years it's got but still a zesty wine. Probably better younger but not past it
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6/17/2012 - RusNewton wrote:
Still drinking fine
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3/13/2012 - torciaumana wrote: 90 Points
Bella sorpresa. Giallo paglierino con riflessi verdolini. Naso ampio e intenso di buccia di agrumi e salvia con note erbacee molto evidenti ed il varietale abbastanza sussurrato. Bocca di bell'equilibrio tra la morbidezza ed una bella spina acida. Finale lunghissimo di kiwi e uva spina. Vino ancora giovanissimo con 4-5 anni davanti.
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2/12/2012 - MarcoAzevedo Likes this wine: 89 Points
As always, fresh and firm accidity. Watermelon and grass.
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12/31/2011 - O.F. wrote: 92 Points
after 4 years, it was exactly what you expect from CB.
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12/30/2011 - empire80 wrote: 90 Points
as before
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12/24/2011 - empire80 wrote: 90 Points
pretty much as before; hides its age very well
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11/11/2011 - nsellen wrote: 90 Points
Worried that I'd left this too long. Shouldn't have, best of the case so far. Colour now darker than pale, still lemon tinged. Nose subtle rather than subdued. Still some citrus freshness but with depth and promise, a fatter, richer, integrated nose rather than defined SB. A very well knit mouth feel and a balance between the mineral/acid gooseberry and the tropical fruit sweets. Finish long and developing. Yum.Only one left now.....
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9/5/2011 - WDSteers wrote: 90 Points
consistent grass, lemony flavor. wont last long
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6/20/2011 - scotsommelier wrote: 90 Points
Great SB from CB. The 2007 seems to be getting better despite it being almost 5 years old. Still fresh with some typical citrus flavours, but it has a roundness and body slightly more developed than when only a couple of years old. Well done again CB.
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4/29/2011 - Sam Wright wrote: 88 Points
Contrary to the stated drinking widow, I prefer NZ SBs with a few years on them, so their acidity is less in your (more importantly, my) face. SB is one of my least favourite grapes, but I don't mind this at all.
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4/25/2011 - Reactuary wrote: 88 Points
Lost some of its original acidity, which is not necessarily a bad thing - just different.
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4/13/2011 - mariolanza wrote: 84 Points
Very very zesty, green and gooseberry textures. Not my favourite wine.
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3/20/2011 - empire80 wrote: 90 Points
As before - delicious if slightly over-rated for the price!
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3/11/2011 - edrender Likes this wine: 91 Points
Crisp and fruity with a wonderful finish. Great example of a Sauvignon Blac.
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3/5/2011 - empire80 wrote: 90 Points
benchmark NZ sauvignon, perhaps not as sensational as earlier vintages but still up there with the best
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1/21/2011 - hpchew7 wrote: 91 Points
Very nice. Lemony, gooseberry fruit flavors. Balanced, crisp, dry. A quality NZ sauv blanc. Truly enjoyable.
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8/24/2010 - Outwide wrote: 91 Points
Very, very good. Was making Fondue and it called for a NZ Sauv Blanc or some European wines I did not have so I used this. The Fondue was great and the wine was even better. Dry, crisp, fresh and good level of acidity. Very light in color. Very enjoyable
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6/1/2010 - mariolanza wrote: 84 Points
good acidity. lemony and gooseberry tones, recommended till 2011
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5/18/2010 - mariolanza wrote: 78 Points
Drinkable mid priced sauvignon blanc
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4/4/2010 - rwilk_2000 wrote: 89 Points
All that you want in a NZ sav Blanc. Light fruity and easy drinking, but I think there are better QPr's our there like the Kim Crawford....
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4/3/2010 - mdobro wrote: 88 Points
first time I have cloudy bay and probably not the last; very light color; nose gooseberry, toast and hint of basil; on the palate also minerality; good acidity, long finish; the only question - is it really good value for money ?
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3/29/2010 - Dulcie and Aylwin wrote:
We have never drunk of the legend previously and even had this bottle on the rack for quite some time; in a whim and with a desire for something "special" I pulled the cork Friday. Pale yellow-green with a subdued nose, primarily mineral, with some wisps of grassy herbality (nice word). Unlike so many of the NZ SBs that take you by the throat with the full-on assault, this is much more nuanced and rounded; you might almost say smooth, with tropical notes (Asian pear?), lime, grapefruit, acidity aplenty of course, nice mouthfeel, minerality. Not so aggressive as your typical NZ, nor as lean as a good Loire, nor as ripe as a CA version. Would I pay the price for a repeat? Maybe not. There's the point.
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3/22/2010 - burgburgburg wrote: 88 Points
pale yellow gold, moderate to light intensity in nose with citrus, apple and gooesberry, light+ body, crispy and refreshing, a textbook Marlborough SB, a little aged but still drink OK
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3/18/2010 - pgm wrote: 87 Points
No longer as crisp or tart as it really ought to be. More earthy and grassy that these are in their youth, no remaining tropical notes.
That said, it's still a nice enough SB, but probably drinking a year past its prime. Drink up.
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2/13/2010 - GA wrote: 89 Points
2/10 Crisp lemon citiric with structure finish. 89 pts.
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1/18/2010 - BECKMANN wrote: 82 Points
Fresh and fine.
Like it in the summertime, like it in the wintertime - for it self or with fish or seafood - yummi !
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1/3/2010 - avp wrote:
A refreshing nose of currant leaves, lime, green apple and some flinty nuances. A touch of tropical fruit.
Dry, medium bodied and crispy on the palate. Grapefruit, lime and gooseberry. Salt liquorice, pepper, and minerality. Good lenght with some bitterness.
I often find these NZ SB's, (esp.) with a couple of bottle years, quite charming. With this Cloudy Bay I first got some bland cardboard-like aromas and thought "blaah, that's it" - but after being open for some hours the wine really started to live again. Very nice minerality and overall a refreshing palatal feel with good fruit bringing some weight. An appealing cohesive roundness due to the age.
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11/9/2009 - mkaminski wrote: 88 Points
Light platinium shiny colour. Aromatic bouquet of blackcurrant leaves, gooseberry and freshly cut grass. On the palate refreshing,with fresh acidity and distinct fruit (gooseberry). Slightly bitter, citrussy finish.
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10/30/2009 - Outwide wrote: 88 Points
Lovely example of NZ Sauv Blanc. Sweet, fruity and crisp. You drink these because thats what you want and Cloudy Bay is guaranteed to never give you a nasty surprise
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10/27/2009 - flussier wrote: 87 Points
Robe de couleur: Blanc très pâle, Bouquet extrêmement présent; Acidité présente, Petite touche sucrée; Amertume présente, Extrêmement corsé; Arômes en bouche: Pamplemousse, ananas, carambole, pipi chat, fruit, minéral, acidité rafraichissante, effervesent, très complex, sec, trop jeune, devrait etre decanter, bon avec poisson gouteux
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9/28/2009 - mariolanza wrote: 87 Points
Good acidity and citrus flavours, not memorable but easy drinking with food.
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9/15/2009 - Viking1055 wrote: 90 Points
Tart, green apples, flader taste
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9/12/2009 - cohen33 wrote:
always excellent, for price
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9/4/2009 - mariolanza wrote: 87 Points
Good drinking NZ Sauvignon Blanc, nothing extraordinary
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8/29/2009 - mark_m_owen wrote: 87 Points
Grapefruit, zesty, a little green. Crisp, balanced, smooth and a good long finish. Hints of lychee or similar. Nice. Too expensive compared to alternatives.
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8/22/2009 - ttholst wrote: 73 Points
Dette synes jeg var en vin for spesielt interesserte. Luktet friskt og godt. Smakte som svært syrlig tynn grønnsakssuppe, med innslag av gress, nestler, løpstikke og selleri. Fruktigheten druknet i det vegetale preget. Mulig noe feil med min flaske? Var nærmest udrikkelig til nykokt krabbe.
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7/24/2009 - AdamJP wrote:
Good.
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7/3/2009 - masonjp wrote: 90 Points
Last bottle and probably a good thing. Upon opening it was very weak and almost watered down. After about 20 minutes it showed the crispness that we love in this wine. The standard grapefruit citrus was there. Drink up, on to the '08's.
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6/30/2009 - quickben wrote: 90 Points
plenty of acidity smoothness and balance - classic
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6/25/2009 - chatters wrote: 85 Points
Berry Bros & Rudd - Perfect Partnerships - Fine Wine & Seafood (Berry Bros, London): Nose: Asparagus, gooseberry, some minerality
Mouth: Some fruit, some acidity, not bad, quaffable
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6/23/2009 - *Vine* wrote: 86 Points
Restaurant purchase. Pale lemon hue. Aromas of grapefruit, gooseberry, and fresh cut grass. Medium-light body. Flavors are of the typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc variety and really mirror the nose. However, an herbaceous streak is seemingly more pronounced than the fruit and could be a distraction for some. Well-balanced acidity. Not much to set it apart from other examples that sell for half the price.
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6/13/2009 - AdamJP wrote:
Good.
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6/6/2009 - godx wrote: 87 Points
No formal notes. Good.
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6/5/2009 - sfqwino wrote: 89 Points
Grapefruits, lemon curd, grass and dried herbs. Good acidity, surprisingly fat and weighty with medium finish. A little simple at this price point.
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6/4/2009 - GraemeBell wrote: 87 Points
A bit overly grassy and vegetal compared to other vintages. There is still some depth there but attack is a little harsh.
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5/16/2009 - Knicksfan wrote: 89 Points
Still drinkable and fruity - although clearly not as much as when released.
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5/10/2009 - masonjp wrote: 90 Points
Very dry small fruit and good mineral palate. Family favorite.
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5/10/2009 - MWes wrote: 88 Points
Good, fairly complex and dry Sav Blanc. I had this next to a Kim Crawford and this is much more like a Chablis. This is dry, without a lot of fruit and more of a minerality. The Kim Crawford had much more fruit and seemed sweeter.
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4/26/2009 - Knicksfan wrote: 88 Points
Losing fruit - drink it up
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4/24/2009 - HUSTLEDC wrote: 90 Points
Everything you would expect from a New Zealand SB. Very pale in colour with a greenish tinge, zippy nose of gooseberry, citrus fruits, cut grass. Good depth of flavour and acidity, definite mineral edge to it. I wouldn't call it great value for money but none the less very enjoyable.
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4/22/2009 - Tejano wrote:
Light straw color and light tropical notes with a tad of citrus on the nose...crisp entry with a nice dry quality with just enough fruit to balance as before.
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4/1/2009 - mariolanza wrote: 85 Points
Rather tasty, zesty tastes of apricots and gooseberies. Young as expected and recommneded at the right price.
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3/26/2009 - chbeaumont wrote: 87 Points
Good bracing SB, but one dimensional. Decent enough, but .........Better VFM currently available from NZ
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3/13/2009 - AdamJP wrote:
Good.
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3/12/2009 - CruConnexion wrote:
Fragrant; lots of grass, grapefruit; good example of NZ sauvignon blanc.
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3/4/2009 - nmachen wrote: 89 Points
A very good wine - crisp, tangy, lots of grapefruit flavor - but I was a bit disappointed. I was expecting it to be a lot better than Kim Crawford S.B. (since it was almost twice the price), but thought they were pretty close to even in quality/taste.
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3/3/2009 - mghomula wrote: 87 Points
Used 1/2 cup of this for a sauce to serve over pan seared pollock. Tasted again and the nose and palate were very consistent with my previous tasting on 2/23/09. Good, not oustanding. I still think the Kim Crawford of the same vintage is better overall and certainly better QPR. 50+5+12+15+5=87
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3/2/2009 - godx wrote: 87 Points
Light to medium lemon, clear throughout. Nose of gooseberry, citrus and herbaceous notes. Similar palate. High acidity, light body, shorter finish. Good.
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2/27/2009 - AdamJP wrote:
Excellent.
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2/26/2009 - godx wrote: 87 Points
Pale lemon, clear. Lighter nose of citrus fruits, gooseberry and pear. Flavours of grapefruit, lemon grass, steely notes. Light body, high acidity, short finish. For less money Kim Crawford is as good, if not better. Drink now. Good.
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2/23/2009 - mghomula wrote: 87 Points
This is a very good, not outstanding SB. In the glass it was a pale yellow with some nice greenish tinting to it. Really lovely to look at. Light floral aromas meshed with lemon zest, gooseberry and wet grass on the nose. The flavor profile revealed bright citrus, grapefruit for sure, some minerality and the SB cliche of wet stones. This wine has nice balance with a very crisp acidity which makes it very refreshing. Really well integrated with a light mouth feel the finish was medium in length with more lemon, grapefruit and gooseberry. I really like this wine - very good. 50+5+12+15+5=87
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12/19/2008 - AdamJP wrote:
Excellent.
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12/17/2008 - Duncan H wrote: 95 Points
Fantastic - reminded me of when I first tasted Cloudy Bay about 14 years ago! Very powerful nose of gooseberries and lychees. Full palate with searing acidity, but real fruit and length too.
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12/13/2008 - godx wrote: 89 Points
Drank at Blue Water - Notes from memory. Opened and served right away. Earthy nose with some citrus notes as well. Flavours green fruit and lemon grass. Good minerality and acidity. Very good.
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12/8/2008 - pontac wrote: 84 Points
Served very cold got more when it warmed a little; crisp dry not overtly gooseberry, but ordinary.
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11/29/2008 - otisabdul wrote: 87 Points
Straightforward NZ sauvie, with grapefruit dominating. Another non-distinguished Cloudy Bay. Lacks the energy and verve of the '90s vintages. I suppose growers from those vintages have started their own wineries by now. How else to explain the slide to mediocrity?
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11/29/2008 - stueys wrote: 90 Points
Second bottle of '07 CB, interestingly this one was a definite improvement on the first. NOSE: lovely floral notes coming through, TASTE: The difference from the last bottle, more fruit, citrus taste with nice, crisp acidity and quite a good finish. All in all, very nice. Got 2 bottles left, be interesting to see how they compare.
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11/22/2008 - AdamJP wrote:
Good.
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11/2/2008 - Caring_Bear wrote: 86 Points
Okay showing on this, though I was hoping for more substance - specifically this is decently sharp and has some good floral notes, but the citrus seems buried, along with that hint of spice you often get with NZ whites. In general the wine seems flat, especially on the tongue. Overall this is a shadow of what many of the more forward Marlboroughs are (Kim Crawford being the obvious example), and for me has a low QPR. Would probably not seek out...
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10/30/2008 - stueys wrote: 87 Points
Typical NZ Sav, light colour, fragrant nose. Nicely balanced acidity with a good finish, all in all a good NZ Sav. But, seems a weaker Cloudy Bay than a few years back when the wine seemed to offer more, unfortunately the price is still at that premium point. It's a good wine but a bit over priced now.
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10/29/2008 - bjecjohnson wrote: 90 Points
SMELL: Very aromatic. Floral and citrus dominate the nose.
TASTE: Very crisp and refreshing. Better than I remembered the last bottle of Cloudy Bay SB tasting.
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10/28/2008 - Double-A Likes this wine: 90 Points
Ripe and herbaceous, gooseberry nose. Distinct, juicy, and vibrant palate; very good length.
4/5
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10/15/2008 - Train_de_Nuit wrote: 90 Points
Color was just a suggestion of green in the glass. Nose was the sucker punch of the perfume counter at Macy's with a hint of grapefruit which dominated (the grapefruit) the palate with a strong minerality. Long finish for me. Nice, but I prefer the '07 Kim Crawford even if it were the same price, yet it's half. Would be excited if this were served to me, but I'd serve the Crawford or the Spy Valley before this, but I sure wouldn't kick this one out. Solid. Zing!
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10/8/2008 - RiedelBeagle wrote: 86 Points
This was my first bottle of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc in a few years. I used to buy this wine frequently, and recommend it to friends as an excellent, concentrated, almost archetypal example of the litterboxy musk that is one of the principal flavors that Sauvignon Blanc has to offer.
It seems like Cloudy Bay has drastically changed their approach since the last vintage I tasted. This wine tasted dilute, almost watered down, and the musk was all but gone. The approach now seems to be to produce a sweet, citrusy wine like other Marlborough producers do. Only this one costs more than most of them, and isn't as good as some. It's a shame.
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9/27/2008 - AdamJP wrote:
Good.
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9/26/2008 - elamasters wrote: 89 Points
Very nice. Light and crisp. Grassy scents along with fresh herbs and lemons. Refreshing and balanced on the palate. Good with light summer foods.
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9/22/2008 - Tejano wrote:
Very light straw color with a touch of lime and green apple and maybe some other wandering tropical notes. Crisp, clean, and dry with enough fruit texture to balance. Great with a variety of seafood at dinner.
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9/17/2008 - yonster24 wrote: 89 Points
Nose of fresh cut grass (almost like a baseball field,) wet rocks and citrus. Great lift to the wine on the palate, crisp acidity and a nice finish that ties this wine up really well.
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9/4/2008 - Sjontoft wrote: 90 Points
Very good SB. Expensive, but a great showing of young SB. Grassy, cirtus fruit nose with hints of peach and minerals.
Very good on the palate with clear acidity, yet good balance. Hints of apple on the palate.
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9/1/2008 - Rupert wrote: 88 Points
At The Dining Room: CB seems to have become more understated - this was nettles and grass, very fresh, and without the exotic fruit quality I remember it having
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9/1/2008 - Hotshot162 wrote: 90 Points
Pretty good SB, just not quite as good as it hyped up to be., Grassy, lemon-limey, mineral nose, and also a hint of pineapple at the tail end. I like the balance and the structure of this bottle, not as fruity as most of New Zealand SB, but still plenty of tropical fruit and mineral on the month feel. Crisp, clean taste, beware the style is more toward Sancerre than your topical SB from this region.
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8/25/2008 - SimonG wrote:
KL, Malaysia. Typically asparagus and goodeberry nose; quite zingy, mineral, just starting to show signs of rounding a little but still with a good bite to it. Better in a year or so. Good though. **1/2
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8/18/2008 - Aloysius16 wrote: 90 Points
Excellent SB. Not overly metallic or 'tomatoed', just a well balanced example of Marlborough.
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8/16/2008 - AdamJP wrote:
Good.
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8/11/2008 - VinumCA wrote: 88 Points
Tried this out of the freezer to see if it would have any effect on the disappointing showing last time.
Nose is, as expected, more restrained, but shows a sweeter, more ethereal nose of white flowers, peach and passionfruit. The attack is less acidic than last time, and recalls lime, grapefruit and even a little wet slate! At this temperature the acid feels more like a slight carbonation, and the whole package seems less spicy and more integrated. A 20-second finish of grapefruit and something that seems oddly familiar -- like an apple skin -- but I can't quite place my finger on it.
A better showing from this wine than last time, but still not worth the price. Can't wait for Kim Crawford to release Spitfire again ...
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8/8/2008 - wadda wrote: 91 Points
Amazing nose, really strong aromas of peach schnapps and tomato plants. Good acidity, but balanced by citrus fruit, with metallic notes to taste and a good clean finish. It may be over-hyped, but this really is a text book Sauvignon Blanc, refreshing, balanced and a great accompaniment to a Summer evening.
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8/7/2008 - jwsobeck wrote: 90 Points
acidity was a bit too high for me, but really enjoyed this otherwise. green apple and lime with the SB grassy flavors, medium body, the long finish that transitions nicely makes it a 90 point wine to me.
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8/4/2008 - gowrie wrote: 89 Points
as above
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8/4/2008 - gowrie wrote: 89 Points
Your classic Marlborough Sauvignon- gooseberry, fresh grass and a lovely citrus burst. Nice minerality. Good long finish
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8/2/2008 - mark_m_owen wrote: 87 Points
Value for money is not really featuring here. This was a good, crisp Sauvignon Blanc but nothing oustanding and certainly has equivalents around at half the price.
Citrus and grass on the nose, pretty fresh. Quite green at first and fruity but not overly so and soon gives way to a more mineral feel. Finish has tropical fruits - sweet but not hugely aromatic. But fades fast with, for me, too much acidity
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7/28/2008 - VinumCA wrote: 86 Points
Not a bad bottle, but not a great one. Lacked the trademark jalapeno intensity of great vintages of this white. Displays more minerality than the '06, but less fruit intensity, a slightly leaner weight, and a rather simple, short finish. Still very well-balanced, guava and melon flavours (lacking some of the tropical that I usually associate with CB) with a good amount of herbaceousness. Medium-bodied, good but not $35-a-bottle concentration, and great acidity.
87 points would be an impartial rating, but I have to knock a point off for lack of value. Lots of sub-$20 SBs can deliver the same quality (Kim Crawford, Matua Paretai, Dog Point, etc).
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7/26/2008 - AdamJP wrote:
Excellent.
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7/24/2008 - hutch wrote: 90 Points
This was quitnice, with loads of gooseberry and high acidity. Begging for a hot summer day. That doesn't change my wonder of why people pay $30 for this when there are so many NZ SB's just as good out there for half the price. But hey, at least the juice is good.
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7/22/2008 - gemvancouver wrote: 89 Points
wonderful as usual. a bit less racy than previous vintages, but the combination of grassiness and the grapefruits is perfect for a summer day
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7/15/2008 - avp wrote:
Refreshing nose of currant leaves, nettle and grapefruit as well as some flint notes.
Dry, crispy and greasy on the palate, some rhubarb and gooseberry add to the flavor profile otherwise similar to nose. Long.
Stylish and balanced, but could use a couple of years of ageing. Though it's drinking nicely already in it's nervy youth. On Rocca's terrace.
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7/12/2008 - AdamJP wrote:
Excellent.
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7/5/2008 - soyhead wrote: 81 Points
nose - grass. Mouth - good acidity but flat midpalate. Structural flaws. Underimpressed. Tasted blind next to several other NZ Sauvignon Balncs and the 2007 Kim Crawford was far more jucy and fruity.
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6/22/2008 - urga wrote: 89 Points
13,50% alc., blassgelb, in der Nase kommt für mich der typische SB eigentlich nicht durch, jedenfalls sehr schmeichelnde gelbe Früchte, Ananas, Stachelbeere, leichte Honignoten, tropische Früchte, ganz zarter Feuerstein, sehr cremige Konsistenz, wunderbare Nase, zum Eintauchen, dicht, fest, guter Körper, für mich hat das Ähnlichkeiten mit wachauer Smaragden, alles wird durch eine optimale Säure gut ausbalanciert, eine sehr vergnügliche Angelegenheit. Bis auf den Preis. Sehr guter Wein, aber um € 22 bekommt man in AUT noch Besseres.
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6/15/2008 - winenewb068 wrote: 88 Points
Ordered off a restaurant list. Quite fragrant - great acidity and paired seamlessly with a seafood dinner.
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6/10/2008 - Phil M-B wrote: 85 Points
Good with all the classic notes of Cloudy Bay SB, although I feel would be better next year.
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6/8/2008 - AdamJP wrote:
Excellent.
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6/7/2008 - wadda wrote: 90 Points
Citrus fruits, melon and a subtle floral nose, very crisp and refreshing but with lots of fruit too, nicely balanced wine, very enjoyable on a warm summer evening on holiday in a Spanish villa
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6/6/2008 - docjavadude wrote: 91 Points
Yummy NZ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Slightly floral nose (lavender?) with citrus and ripe melon. Juicy grapefruit with crisp acidity and distinct minerality in the mouth. Subtle honey flavor for a Marlborough. Drank while I cooked and with dinner -- it paired very well with our grilled salmon. I really liked this SB. Lots of wine in that bottle!
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6/3/2008 - Carl Thoma wrote:
Good acidity but not intense.
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5/25/2008 - Barbara B wrote: 90 Points
Bright, clear, pale. Apples, lemons, green grass, gooseberry. High acidity, nice varietal character without being over-the-top. Bought duty-free in WLN, NZD32.95
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5/18/2008 - the godfather wrote: 92 Points
one of the best sb's I have ever tasted. extremely perfumed and delicate, extremely refreshing
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5/13/2008 - Carl Thoma wrote: 85 Points
crisp wine with rich mouth feel but aromics and flavors very subtle. rate 85.
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5/6/2008 - Gargantua wrote: 90 Points
Wild overwhelming pink grapefruit will forever equal this my first Cloudy Bay. Acid overwhelms most other levels (little minerality, little floral or honey). Only after over an hour and a half after opening do new honey tones arise. Savage citrus fruit, I thought it was great. My girlfriend thought less of it, and was bothered by the acidity. Paired respectably with scallops/white wine/cream/bread crumbs, though the dish would have been better paired if it had some other less fatty and rounded taste a bit more than it did (scallion, fruit, spice, something). Winemaker says pH 3.11. Wondering how that compares.
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4/20/2008 - yonster24 wrote: 90 Points
My first experience with Cloudy Bay and I have to say that it lived up to the billing. Wonderful nose of Grape fruit, fresh cut grass and minerals. Smooth mouth feel, but with wonderful crisp acidity on the finish. I'm not a fan of Sauv Blanc, but this is a damn good wine.
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4/19/2008 - pgm wrote: 90 Points
Enjoyed with sushi, side by side with the 2004 Cloudy Bay Te Koko for the fun of comparing the a stainless-steel fermented SB with an oak-fermented SB from the same (and highly reputed) maker.
The 2007 is classic Cloudy Bay SB: loads of grapefruit and gooseberry, with a nose of tropical fruit. I usually find "bracing acidity" to be an exaggeration when applied to Cloudy Bay SB, and the 2007 is indeed less aggressive and less tart than many other NZ SB examples (thankfully), and shows off some better rounded fruit flavors in the mouth, extending to lychee and finishing with a distinctive and very nice vegetal note, maybe snap pea and lemongrass. Again very nicely done. 90+
The 2004 Te Koko is completely different. The nose dominated by notes from oak, malolactic fermentation, and aging on the lees: not buttery (in a California style), but showing toasted pine nuts and a bit of waxy, smoky spice. The fruit is somewhat restrained in the mouth, too, with preserved lemon and green apple peel. This also has a green vegetal note. This comes off more like Bordeaux blanc than anything else I have reference points for. The Te Koko is more complex than the "standard" 2007 CB SB, but not really as succulent and delicious. My impression is that the oak treatment currently dominates this wine a little too much, and I can't really guess whether that is something that will resolve itself with time or not. If it does, the Te Koko could merit a score as high as 92, but tonight I'm saying 89.
The table was evenly divided in preferring the 2007 CB and the 2004 Te Koko. I sided slightly with the stainless steel version as being a little more straighforwardly enjoyable; but the Te Koko is certainly the more thought-provoking wine.
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4/15/2008 - riddler wrote: 90 Points
Delicious, ripe crisp fruit flavors. Lovely light to medium bodied wine.
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4/12/2008 - AdamJP wrote:
Good.
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4/5/2008 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 90 Points
While a formal note was not made, it can be said that the wine shows the typical crisp acidity that is so characteristic of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, coupled with a certain spiciness which gives it interest. While I did like the wine, I would much rather buy two (or even three) conventionally-priced offerings.
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4/5/2008 - Hein wrote: 93 Points
Great sauvignon blanc. Great balance. Had the typical minerality of a great Sauvingnon blanc and gave much pleasure at the same time.
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3/23/2008 - Polly wrote:
classy stuff and sometimes hard to get hold of. Lovely with nibbles, but I must admit to not having time to appreciate it because of hostessing duties
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3/3/2008 - bjecjohnson wrote: 87 Points
Color-med light for a sang blanc, clarity-slight haze, Aroma-lemon grass, flora, apricot, flavor- Green apple, short initial fruitiness, followed by sharp acidity on the back pallette, finish, short with an clean acidity finish
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2/25/2008 - mark_m_owen wrote: 88 Points
Nothing to add that hasn't already been said. It's fresh, a little bit green, a little bit acidic. Nice flavours, good weight. Just not all that special for the price.
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2/18/2008 - spendergast wrote: 90 Points
A very solid SB, crisp fruit with medium finish, very refreshing.
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2/15/2008 - gowrie wrote: 89 Points
Pale yellow /green. Intense aromas of gooseberry, passion fruit and possibly fennel. Also interestingly I was able to detect apple sherbert! Pleasing acidity and balance. Good length on the finish. My first Cloudy Bay.
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2/1/2008 - Dejzan wrote:
Nettles, currantleaves, asparagus everything i expect to find in a Sauv B. Fresh medium bodied with a nice finsh.
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1/11/2008 - GSW wrote: 89 Points
Tart, crisp, green apple and tropical fruit. Very enjoyable.
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1/8/2008 - RomanKJ wrote: 92 Points
pleasant surprise. CB is back in 07, and at more reasonable prices
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12/26/2007 - zblang wrote: 90 Points
Great flavors of grapefruit and possible sour pear with honey. The nose was very simple, nothing too complex there. Overall a very enjoyable Sav. Blanc - Will buy again
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11/28/2007 - vespasian wrote: 83 Points
Very pale in colour. Some green tints. Classic NZ Sauvignon nose. Quite sharp tasting, very sour like a pear drop. Some minerality. Merely ok. Not great value for money. Laughable at £20.
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10/19/2007 - win wrote: 87 Points
Solid. Preferred the 2006. Had at a Cloudy Bay tasting.
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6/15/2007 - Highmountain wrote: 89 Points
Suverän Sauvignon Blanc som trots sin unga ålder är fullt drickfärdig.
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