Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023 bottle shot
92
White SelectionOctober 2023

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Tasted October 2023 · Wineros Tasting Panel · Methodology

Sauvignon Blanc$35

"This is the wine that put New Zealand on the global map. The 2023 vintage is as vibrant as ever, bursting with tropical fruit, lime zest, and that unmistakable herbaceous quality. It is crisp, refreshing, and incredibly aromatic, making it the perfect companion for fresh seafood or a sunny afternoon on the terrace."

Terroir

Marlborough, New Zealand

Drinking Window

2023 - 2026

Serving Temp

45-50°F (7-10°C)

Aging Potential

Drink Now

Food Pairings

Fresh oystersGoat cheese saladThai green curry
Shop this Vintage — $35

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THE FULL TASTING NOTE

Nose

Explosively aromatic: passionfruit and lime zest leap from the glass, backed by fresh-cut grass, gooseberry, and a cool riverstone note.

Palate

Crisp and precise — tropical fruit up front, then zesty citrus acidity that carries lime pith and herbaceous snap through a taut mid-palate.

Finish

Clean, dry, and refreshing, closing on grapefruit and a saline echo that begs for oysters.

What we love

  • Still the global benchmark for Marlborough — remarkable consistency vintage after vintage
  • Intensely aromatic and refreshing without residual-sugar tricks
  • A guaranteed crowd-pleaser that seafood makes even better

What to know

  • You pay $10-12 over comparable Marlborough bottles largely for the label's pedigree
  • Built to drink within 2-3 years — this is not a wine to forget in the cellar

How it compares

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023this page92 pts$35Marlborough, New Zealand
Duckhorn Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc91 pts$38Napa Valley, California

Side by side with the Duckhorn Napa Sauvignon Blanc, the Cloudy Bay is the electric, herbaceous extrovert while the Duckhorn is rounder and more restrained — pick by mood: raw shellfish points here, richer fish dishes point to Napa. Read that review →

Convinced?
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Buy — $35 →

Complete the Experience

Recommended gear for this bottle

VoChill Stemless Wine Glass Chiller
Service

VoChill Stemless Wine Glass Chiller

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Cobalance Wine Chiller Electric
Tools

Cobalance Wine Chiller Electric

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Stop and Smell the Rosé: A Comprehensive Wine Tasting Journal
Tools

Stop and Smell the Rosé: A Comprehensive Wine Tasting Journal

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Understand This Bottle

The background reading behind this review

The GrapeSauvignon Blanc→The RegionMarlborough, New Zealand→The StyleCrisp White→

Featured In

This bottle appears in our buying guides

Best Wines for Summer Entertaining→Best Wines to Pair with Seafood→Best Wines for Beginners→

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Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023

92 pts • Sauvignon Blanc

Buy — $35