Impressive, showing generous plush, juicy flavors of raspberry, blueberry and ripe plum at the pure core, with details of dried lavender, white pepper, black tea and star anise. Reveals hints of bittersweet chocolate on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2030. 180,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.??–MW??Region: New Zealand / Marlborough Select to Add

Impressive, with terrific intensity and purity to the core of black cherry, spiced plum and wild berry flavors. Reveals accents of clove, toasted cumin, cardamom and chai tea that linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2038. 1,780 cases imported.??–MW??Region: New Zealand / Marlborough Select to Add

The herb and cedar notes show a robust, roasted quality, with barley, dried cherry and plum flavors on a muscular frame. Details of orange zest and black tea add interest on the finish. Drink now. 1,904 cases imported.??–MW??Region: New Zealand / Marlborough Select to Add

While the company has invested enormously in its Central Otago Pinot Noir project, I continue to think the Marlborough wine is better, at least for the moment. The 2016 Pinot Noir is a silky, medium-bodied wine, loaded with raspberry and strawberry fruit. Hints of cola and spice add dimension and linger on the finish. It's 15% whole cluster and sees about one-third new French oak, but neither of those elements come across as dominating, they're subtler, mostly structural, components.

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir has a very pretty, floral scented nose with notes of roses and violets over a core of cranberries, Bing cherries and pomegranate. Light to medium-bodied, the palate gives a wonderful intensity of perfumed red berries with just enough herbal and earthy lift, supported by finely grained tannins and harmonious acidity, finishing long. A great showing for Cloudy Bay!