To this day the annual release of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is much talked about—and strictly allocated, as retailers vie for enough stock. The 2019 is a typical pale straw yellow with a green hue. Aromas are a vibrant mix of lime leaf, lemon zest and nectarine intermingling with orange blossom—and then comes that Cloudy Bay taste! The palate bursts with ripe citrus, tropical and stone-fruit flavours—pineapple, gooseberry and elderflower—underpinned with a sleek and succulent mineral backbone and a long flavoursome finish.
The vibrancy of this wine comes to the fore by pairing with delicately flavoured dishes—raw oysters, steamed mussels with parsley and garlic, or lemongrass and Thai basil, fresh asparagus, feta and goat’s cheese—and baked salmon with avocado perfectly complement the intense aromas.