Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2022

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2022

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Cloudy Bay
Chardonnay 2022
  • Vintage : 2022
  • Country : New Zealand
  • Region : Marlborough
  • Subregion :
  • Type : White
  • Style : Creamy Full Bodied White
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,4°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

With a focus on purity and complexity, this Chardonnay captures the vibrant character of the region’s stone fruit and citrus.

Region and Vineyards

The Marlborough region of New Zealand is renowned for its diverse terroir, ideally suited for growing Chardonnay. Cloudy Bay sources its grapes from the Wairau Valley and Southern Valleys, where vineyards benefit from stony soils in the former and denser clay soils in the latter. This combination yields a Chardonnay with both mineral freshness and rich structure. The warm days and cool nights in Marlborough allow grapes to ripen slowly, preserving acidity while developing concentrated flavors and aromatic depth.

Vineyard sites such as Barracks, Motukawa, Estate, Mustang, and Brook Street contribute unique characteristics to the blend, enhancing the wine's complexity. The Wairau Valley imparts bright citrus and mineral qualities, while the Southern Valleys provide depth and creaminess. These varied vineyard profiles are key to Cloudy Bay’s approach, creating a Chardonnay that captures the best of Marlborough’s terroir.

Winemaking

The Cloudy Bay Chardonnay undergoes a meticulous winemaking process designed to balance purity of fruit with subtle oak influence. The grapes are hand-harvested and whole-bunch pressed to retain freshness and delicacy. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels, with a portion using wild yeasts, adding layers of complexity and character to the wine. Selective malolactic fermentation is introduced to enhance creaminess while maintaining bright acidity, creating a seamless balance.

After fermentation, the wine is aged on lees for 11 months in oak barrels, which adds texture without overwhelming the natural fruit expression. This careful lees aging brings out a rounded mouthfeel and depth, preserving the Chardonnay’s vibrancy and structure. This combination of gentle oak integration and extended lees contact results in a wine that is both expressive and refined, with a long, saline finish.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Pale gold with green highlights, indicating freshness.
  • Aroma: Lively aromas of Meyer lemon, white nectarine, and delicate hints of vanilla and crème brûlée from the oak influence.
  • Palate: Bright and layered, with flavors of citrus zest, conference pear, and subtle minerality. The oak is well-integrated, adding structure without overshadowing the fruit, and leading to a refreshing, saline finish.

Did You Know?

Cloudy Bay’s focus on terroir-driven winemaking is evident in their Chardonnay, crafted to reflect Marlborough’s unique climate and soils. The 2022 vintage is particularly noted for its balance, with a combination of fresh fruit and creamy texture that allows it to pair beautifully with a range of foods.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Grilled lobster with herb butter: The creamy, mineral texture of the wine complements the richness of lobster.
  • Caprese salad: The wine’s acidity cuts through the mozzarella’s creaminess, enhancing the fresh flavors of tomato and basil.
  • Brie or Camembert: Soft cheeses bring out the wine’s subtle oak and fruit notes, creating a harmonious pairing.
  • Mushroom risotto: The wine’s acidity and complexity balance the creamy, earthy flavors of the risotto.
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Cloudy Bay
Sauvignon Blanc 2024
WS
93
VN
93
BC
95
Widely regarded as the quintessential expression of the acclaimed Marlborough wine region, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is an international benchmark wine noted for its vibrant aromatics, layers of pure fruit flavours and fine structure.
34,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
39,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
We also suggest...
New Zealand
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2022
Widely regarded as the quintessential expression of the acclaimed Marlborough wine region, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is an international benchmark wine noted for its vibrant aromatics, layers of pure fruit flavours and fine structure.
Chardonnay 2022
34,90 €
New Zealand
89 Robert Parker
Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Seresin Chardonnay 2022
The Seresin Sauvignon Blanc is an elegant and complex expression of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, with a refined structure and a savory twist. This vintage includes 10% Sémillon, adding depth and aging potential to the classic Sauvignon Blanc profile.
Chardonnay 2022
24,90 €
Argentina
94 Wines & Spirits
Catena Zapata Catena Chardonnay 2021
Catena Zapata Chardonnay 2022
The Catena Chardonnay is a finely crafted wine that showcases the unique terroirs of Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards, delivering a harmonious blend of rich textures and vibrant acidity.
Chardonnay 2022
20,50 €
Greece
93 Robert Parker
Gaia Estate Red 2021
Gaia Chardonnay 2022
Gaia Estate Red from Gaia Wines is a richly expressive Agiorgitiko, delivering a deep, velvety texture and a sophisticated bouquet of red and black fruits, enhanced by subtle hints of spice and floral notes.
Chardonnay 2022
44,50 €
New Zealand
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 20 Cash Block Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Saint Clair Chardonnay 2022
A vibrant and mineral-driven Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough's lower Wairau Valley, delivering mouth-watering intensity and coastal freshness.
Chardonnay 2022
24,40 €
New Zealand
94 Robert Parker
Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2019
Te Mata Chardonnay 2022
The Te Mata Elston Chardonnay is a highly regarded New Zealand Chardonnay that has been produced since 1984, recognized for its richness, complexity, and balance.
Chardonnay 2022
36,90 €