2008 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir

The 2008 Pinot Noir gives a medium-deep ruby color with intense black cherry and mocha aromas over an earthy/gamey undercurrent and some spice box. Crisp in the mouth with a medium-firm level of fine tannins, it has a medium-full body and long, earthy finish. Drink it now to 2016. I generally agree with Neal Martin’s previous comment about some of Cloudy Bay’s wines produced over the last couple of vintages perhaps being “a notch behind other Marlborough producers”. However, I did find some very good wines to recommend during my recent visit. Trust me, my visit was not typically befitting of the fanfare laid-on by a Champagne House with the soft light, foie gras canapes and gentle tinkle of classical music playing in the background. White winemaker Tim Heath and I stood tasting in a stoically sterile white tasting room and deconstructed his recent work over the course of just an hour or so. I’ll cut to the chase and state that in the cold, hard, clinical light of that tasting room, I think that Tim is making some very positive moves towards filling some very big shoes. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 888-7575