2020 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir

Aromas of baked strawberries, red cherries, rosemary and porcini mushroom. Medium- to full-bodied with soft tannins. Juicy and fresh on the palate with a mineral undertone. Wet stone and overturned earth come through. Lingering finish. Drink now. Screw cap.

Full screwcapped bottle 1,305 g. Transparent cherry red/crimson. Light bodied (despite the alcohol – is it the acidity that gives it this freshness?) with a light beetroot flavour. I think the reputation of Cloud Bay will be sufficient to cheer drinkers. It's certainly persistent and fruity even if very far from burgundy! There is a certain sweet and sour quality here. I wouldn't buy it myself but no-one would be hugely disappointed by this. (JR)

Full bottle 1,300. Screwcap.  After tasting two very cheap French Pinots, this was clearly a step up. But not by the 230% price increase. More woody; tobacco notes layer between red fruit that has a slightly stewed character to it. Cinnamon spices, rosehip jam, roasted rosemary – stem and all. I think there is better value to be found at bourgogne level at this price point and better value to be found in Germany, South Africa, Tasmania and even Alsace at this price point. But if the Cloudy Bay brand gets your heart racing, then so be it. (TC)