2002 Cloudy Bay Pelorus

The Pelorus Sparkling 2002 is a blend of 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir spending 3 years on the lees. Muted on the nose with touches of walnut and smoke, the palate displays a fine minerally core with good acidity, notes of hazelnut and orange zest towards the yeasty finish. It is rather reserved at present but has good definition and vibrancy. Cloudy Bay needs no introduction: unquestionably the winery that put New Zealand on the international map and presciently understood the aesthetic appeal of an emotive label. Now part of the LVMH portfolio, the winery is a magnet for visitors to Marlborough. They farm around 200 hectares of vines in the Wairau Valley, Renwick and Omaka Valleys augmented by five grape-growers under long-term contracts. Of course historical significance bears nothing upon my evaluation and whilst there is nothing particularly wrong with Cloudy Bay’s range, they lacked the thrills and perhaps the soul of other New Zealand wines that I encountered, as if the wines err on the side of caution in order not to imperil its worldwide reputation. In essence, I would like to see less of “Cloudy Bay” the brand and more of Kevin Judd, the talented winemaker. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200