2021 Cloudy Bay, Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 1x75cl

Vinous 93

The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Te Koko is a firm, focused, barrel-fermented style, which is clear from the get-go with its nutty nose that follows through onto the palate. It’s a youthful wine with all the flavors up front, and they’re all still in a battle for supremacy, from citrus and nectarine to capsicum and almond croissants. The small crops of the season and the winemaking provided a rich texture and grip, making for a structured, powerful wine. There’s no shortage of acidity either, coursing through with the pace of a river rapid. This still needs time for its componentry to knit, but there’s plenty of quality markers here to suggest it will find its moment. [Rebecca Gibb MW, 11/04/2024]

Anticipated maturity: 2024-2030