The 2023 vintage of this ever-reliable Sauvignon Blanc is a wine of enormous drive and concentration. It’s characterised by notes of vibrant citrus, fresh lemongrass and sweet honeydew melon, balanced by a stony salinity and a fresh blackcurrant flavour. It’s everything you’d expect from a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s Marlborough region. It’s ready to chill and enjoy now – or cellar for another 10 years for a richer, more complex finish.

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2025 – Marlborough Iconic Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Expressive and refined with peach, elderflower, lime, and white nectarine. Fresh and crisp on the palate, with lively citrus acidity, subtle briny minerality, and a long, elegant finish.

climate

Marlborough has a distinct maritime climate with abundant light and a long ripening period. The 2025 growing season was on average warmer and drier, with approximately 78% of normal rainfall and 13% higher average daily temperatures. A cloudier period in January and February delayed ripening, after which favorable weather ensured the grapes could ripen optimally while retaining fresh acidity.

soil

The grapes come primarily from vineyards on the Wairau Valley plain, including Estate, Motukawa, Widow's Block, Red Shed, and Mustang. The soil consists mainly of coarse, stony, and well-draining pebble and gravel soils, formed by ancient river deposits. These poor, permeable soils contribute to the typical aromatic intensity, minerality, and lively freshness of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

vinification

Made from grapes harvested largely from vineyards planted on the Wairau Valley floor, where the climate and free-draining, gravelly soils provide ideal growing conditions for Sauvignon Blanc. The 2023 season was a mixed one and the vineyard teams worked tirelessly to ensure the fruit was well cared for and could mature to its full potential. Fermentation was largely carried out in stainless steel, with just under 5% of the blend fermented at a warmer temperature in oak – some was also fermented with wild yeast to build texture and complexity. As is customary with Cloudy Bay wines, this vintage was rigorously blended to include only the finest wines – 82 separate batches were tasted, with 50 selected for the final blend.”