Cloudy Bay Pelorus Review: A Birthday Bottle That Kept Giving

Birthdays always seem to be a good excuse to open something a little different, and this year I found myself reaching for a bottle of Cloudy Bay Pelorus.

Cloudy Bay is a producer that most wine drinkers will know for Sauvignon Blanc, but Pelorus is their traditional method sparkling wine from Marlborough, New Zealand. I have always enjoyed a good sparkling wine, so I was interested to see how this one would stack up.

First Impressions

As soon as the wine was poured, the aromas coming from the glass were a little different to what I was expecting.

On the nose, I was getting honey and apple. Not overly complex at first, but inviting and fresh. It had enough fruit to pull you in without feeling overly sweet.

The bubbles were fine and persistent, and it immediately felt like something a little more serious than your average bottle of fizz.

The Wine Evolves

The first sip delivered exactly what the nose promised.

Green apple was the dominant flavour for me, backed up by honeyed melon which gave the wine a lovely softness. The acidity kept everything fresh, but there was enough fruit weight to stop it feeling sharp or austere.

What impressed me most was how the wine changed with a little time in the glass.

As it opened up, subtle brioche and toasty notes began to appear. The fresh fruit was still there, but it was joined by a more rounded and creamy character that added another layer of interest.

This is one of the things I enjoy most about wine. Sometimes the best part is not the first sip but what happens ten or fifteen minutes later.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Harmony

Pelorus is made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and looking back at the tasting experience, it makes perfect sense.

The green apple and freshness felt very Chardonnay-driven, whilst the honeyed melon and softer texture seemed to come from the Pinot Noir. As the brioche notes emerged, everything started to knit together beautifully.

It felt balanced rather than dominated by any one component.

My Verdict

This is a very classy sparkling wine.

It delivers freshness, fruit and enough complexity to keep you interested without becoming hard work. The honey, apple, melon and developing brioche notes made for a really enjoyable drinking experience, especially as the wine continued to evolve throughout the evening.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely.

It reminded me why I enjoy sparkling wine so much. Whilst I often find myself drawn towards bold reds with lots of concentration and depth, bottles like this prove that elegance and freshness can be just as rewarding.

For a birthday bottle, it felt spot on.