Overview
Te Wāhi means “the place” in te reo Māori, reflecting the importance of terroir and Cloudy Bay’s connection to its second home in Central Otago. The 2022 release is a polished, powerful Pinot Noir with an opulent core of dark fruit, structured tannins and the capacity to develop greater spice and forest-floor complexity with age.
Vintage
Following three years influenced by La Niña, 2022 brought a classic hot, dry Central Otago season. Daytime temperatures reached the mid-30s during summer, while cooler evenings approaching harvest helped preserve freshness and extend flavour development.
Settled spring conditions supported excellent fruit set. Warm, dry weather during harvest provided extended hang time and good skin ripeness. The fruit was hand-picked between 23 and 29 March 2022.
Vineyard
The fruit was sourced from the Northburn vineyard on the steep, hilly eastern bank of Lake Dunstan. The vines grow across brown, organic soils over volcanic material and benefit from significant differences between warm daytime and cool nighttime temperatures, producing fruit with structure and intensity.
Winemaking
The grapes were predominantly destemmed into open-top fermenters and underwent a five-day cold soak before fermentation. Cap management consisted of plunging between one and four times daily, with fermentation maintained below 30°C.
The wine remained on skins for approximately 21 days before gentle pressing. After 12 months in French oak barriques, of which 30% were new, it was bottled in September 2023.
Producer Tasting Notes
Reticent at first but unfurling to reveal exotic and enticing notes of damson, raw cacao and a hint of star anise.
On the palate, the silky tannins provide subtle structure, underpinning a core of pure autumnal blackberry, plum and sweet sloe. There are notes of fragrant spice and subtle vanillin, and an almost-graphite freshness that creates a sense of poise and balance.
Critic Reviews
95 Points – Stephen Wong, The Real Review
Tasted 21 January 2026
A polished pinot with black cherry, plum and spice flavours sandwiched between refreshing notes of herbal tea and the richness of nutty, creamy oak. The creamy richness and ripeness give this early accessibility but there is weight and generosity right to the finish, with ample concentration and brooding depth which will need time to reveal its true qualities.
Drinking Window: 2027–2038
Specifications
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Vintage: 2022
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Producer: Cloudy Bay
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Wine: Te Wāhi
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Variety: Pinot Noir
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Region: Central Otago
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Vineyard: Northburn
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Country: New Zealand
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Harvest: 23–29 March 2022
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Skin Contact: Approximately 21 days
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Maturation: 12 months in French oak barriques, 30% new
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Bottled: September 2023
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Alcohol: 13.5%
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Total Acidity: 4.99g/L
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pH: 3.72
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Suggested Drinking Window: 2027–2038
