Selected for the Fine Wines of New Zealand List
Te Koko is an intriguing style of Sauvignon Blanc that has reached cult status around the world. Produced in very limited quantities this takes the famous Sauvignon Blanc fruit from the Cloudy Bay Vineyards that is gently pressed into mostly old French oak barrels and then left alone to do its thing. A long slow spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts is followed by a partial malolactic and another year or so in barrel resulting in a very different but beguiling style of Sauvignon Blanc.
Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"Te Koko 2020 is complex and appealing, with notes of white flowers, warm hay, summer stone fruit and preserved citrus on the nose. Textured. with layers of white peach, pear and white flowers melding with mineral characters and subtle brioche notes. A freshening acidity underpins this dense and enticing palate, leading to a long and elegant finish."
95/100 JamesSuckling.com (2020 Vintage)
"Tangy, pure, lightly smoky and creamy nose with ripe golden berries, quince and caramelized apples. A hint of wet stones, too. Quite bright, flavourful and concentrated on the palate with remarkable intensity and a long yet fresh and mineral finish. A fresh, complex sauvignon blanc that is densely packed with flavours. Impressive length."
94/100 Wine Spectator (2020 Vintage)
"Intense, concentrated and aromatic, this mouthwatering white is fresh and lively, with crisp Key lime pie and graham cracker notes followed by details of lemon blossoms, honeysuckle and lemon verbena. Shows a simultaneously supple and sleek body, with a savoury sea salt note and the slightest hint of flint lingering on the finish."
Reviews for the 2019 vintage below…
5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, November 2021 (2019 Vintage)
"A sophisticated trailblazing oak-matured sauvignon blanc, which retains tangy varietal character while adding subtle toast and ginger flavours from barrel maturation. A wonderful texture and crisp, dry and lingering finish."
5 Stars Michael Cooper (2019 Vintage)
"Te Koko o Kupe ('The Oyster Dredge of Kupe') is the original name for Cloudy Bay; it is also the name of the Marlborough winery's intriguing oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc. Still youthful, the 2019 vintage was grown on the Wairau Valley floor, fermented in a combination of French oak barrels (8 per cent new) and large format wooden cuves, and matured in wood on its yeast lees for 11 months. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and concentrated, with generous, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, finely integrated oak, fresh acidity and a very harmonious, dry (3.2 grams/litre of residual sugar) finish. A tightly structured, savoury wine, it should be at its best 2023+."