Cloudy Bay, Marlborough (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2009

($40, Moët Hennessey USA):  Marlborough is usually ranked after Central Otago and Martinborough when considering prime sites for Pinot Noir in New Zealand.  A few more wines like this one and that paradigm in likely to change.  Sarah Burton and the winemaking team has managed to capture both the fruity and savory sides of Pinot Noir in their 2009 bottling.  It’s a marvelous balance between the delicate fresh fruit notes and the often-elusive earthy/leafy side of the varietal.  A real success for a notoriously difficult grape. 92 Michael Apstein Feb 14, 2012