Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc

June 25, 2019

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, 2018.

$26.99 at Total Wine.

Zach says, “We were given a great book on wine called, “Great Wine Made Simple” by Andrea Immer. Thank you, Mikayla and Brad! For years, I have longed for an approachable book to enhance my wine drinking experience — this is that book! I love that the author gives specific, inexpensive suggestions for wine tastings designed to highlight characteristic elements of different wines. Most importantly, the bottles Andrea Immer suggests can be purchased in local wine stores. 

I drank a bottle of Cloud Bay 1-2 years ago. It was included in a NY Times curated list of best Sauvignon Blancs for the summertime. With a penchant for frugality, I noticed that Cloudy Bay was the least expensive and most accessible wine on the list. When I first tried it, I did not think the wine was worth the price. Andrea Immer’s praise for the wine was so fervent that I felt it would be a crime to judge this wine solely by my first tasting.

The review: The color is light yellow. The nose is sharp and expressive. I notice, however, that when the wine is too cold the nose is tight and less nuanced. With a slightly warmer than refrigerator temperature glass, there are notes of green apple, lime, and honeydew. The wine’s taste is ridiculously sharp and refreshing. I can’t imagine a wine more characteristic of the style than this one. The finish is long and enlivened by a wondrous essence of stone fruit. 8.75/10”

Lauren says, “Pale yellow color. Aroma of citrus, melon, and green apples. Very sharp, tangy and refreshing. Medium bodied. A fresh flavor of minty lemon and cantolope. Very acidic and delicious. Perfect for a hot day like today. 9/10”