Notes - Cloudy Bay Vineyards was established in 1985 by Cape Mentelle Vineyards in Western Australia. The company farms 200 hectares of vines at three carefully selected sites. Vineyards planted in 1986 surround the winery in the Wairau Valley at Rapaura, with additional plantings at nearby Renwick and in the Brancott & Omaka Valley's, in the southern foothills. Five long term contract growers also work closely with Cloudy Bay. The main varieties grown are sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and pinot noir with lesser quantities of riesling and gewurztraminer. The winery takes its name from the bay at the eastern extremity of the Wairau Valley. It was named Cloudy Bay by Captain Cook on his voyage to New Zealand in 1770. Pinot noir thrives in Marlborough where Cloudy Bay has planted the best clones in prime vineyard locations to produce the highest quality fruit. Crop levels are carefully controlled to ensure the grapes have great concentration of flavour and this is enhanced by tried and true 'hands off' winemaking practices. Vinified using traditional fermentation techniques with subsequent maturation in French oak casks, the Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir is a richly flavoured, medium bodied and finely structured wine. Bright vermilion with purple tints, it typically shows enticing fragrant aromas of mulled plums, cherries and tobacco and has a full lingering palate. It is a style that will gain additional complexity with medium term cellaring.