The Wines

"Intense, precise sauvignon blanc with grapefruit, citrus, subtle passionfruit and a suggestion of struck flint character. A powerful wine that’s long and linear, with strong varietal definition that’s made more interesting with a hint of reductive character."

"Lightly reductive nose with real pungency. Smoky and off-dry on palate entry. Good depth of fruit and still very fresh at two years old. It should last well into next year too. As refreshing as home-made lemonade, and not dissimilar. Persistent. Sophisticated. Very different from most Marlborough Sauvignons."

"A powerful yet controlled even complex bouquet of sauvignon blanc with aromas of apples and white flowers, wet stones and grapefruit, sweet hay, gooseberry and white peach. Tense, youthful, vibrant, varietal and packed with energy. A core of fruit reflects the impact and power from the bouquet, zippy acidity, some fruit spice and sweet hay all leading to a long finish. What’s not to like! Drink now and through 2021."

"This exceptional wine is highly aromatic, weighty and sweet-fruited, with intense, ripely herbaceous flavours and a crisp, very long finish. Certified organic."

"Very slightly reductive, struck-match nose and extra-bright fruit with strong passionfruit aromas and a certain amount of delicacy. Chalky finish. Lots of interest here. Very youthful and energetic indeed. Complimenti!"

"Very vivid, fresh passion fruit, lemon, yellow grapefruit and lime here with well cut, flinty elements in play. Some herb and lime-leaf notes too. The palate has fresh, lively and assertively zesty lime and passion-fruit flavors with a succulent, fleshy feel and big impact. Drink now."

"Mouthwatering and vivid, with a laser beam of focus and intensity to the Meyer lemon, ruby grapefruit and dried mango flavors. Peppery white flower aromas and a touch of freshly grated ginger add complexity."

"Perhaps the most complex regular Savvy I can recall from Dog Point, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc offers up aromas that range from subtle notions of garden peas to melon, nectarine and pink grapefruit. It’s medium-bodied and silky in texture, generous yet crisp, with a focused, slightly chalky and deliciously lingering finish."

"Lovely weight on the midpalate, providing a feeling of sumptuousness. This was whole-bunch-pressed and hand-harvested, and neutral yeast was used (20% wild), which has created an air of restraint. Yes, there are classic passion fruit and gooseberry flavors, bu the volume is turned down, and a citrus backbone offers a fresh, composed conclusion."

"The flinty Dog Point style is quite original for Marlborough, so don’t expect the classic fruit explosion. Yet  2019 sees a slight pull back, featuring less marked ‘sulfide’ character and far more grapefruit and citrus, passion fruit and guava flavours. As such it will surely appeal more widely. Length and depth, and overall composition, are at the usual top level."

"Hand-picked from its own vineyards in Marlborough, Dog Point's Sauvignon is bright, crisp and super-fresh, more typical in Marlborough style than the barrel-fermented 'Section 94' cuvee, with huge punch and verve. Passionfruit is there, with tropical notes suggesting lychee and guava, a touch of capsicum, but really all about the fruit. In the mouth the texture has some richness and mealiness to it, the citrus blast of the acidity balanced perfectly against the more unctuous, tropical fruit into a dry and beautifully balanced finish. Typical and yet not, this is a fine example of Marlborough's unique Sauvignon style."

"This ranks among the country’s greatest oak-aged Sauvignon Blancs. Proving the ageability of well-crafted Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, it is still very vigorous, with light colour, a real sense of youthful drive, and lovely depth and harmony."

"Tantalising sauvignon blanc made from grapes grown on 29-year-old vines and aged in older French oak barrels for 18 months. Taut, savoury wine with chalky-mineral, struck-flint reductive characters and nut, ginger yeast lees supported by vibrant acidity. A harmonious wine from a top vintage. Should continue to age gracefully."

"Distinctive, complex, developing, enticing. Aromas of integration, white fleshed fruits and citrus, a mix of primary and developing bottle-age complexity. On the palate – immediately fruity with barrel ferment combinations – grapefruit and lemon, apple and lees autolysis. The back palate shows-off the gentle vanilla and custard sweetness of oak. Still fresh and youthful with medium+ acidity and lengthy detailed finish. A fantastic wine. Best drinking from today and through 2026+"

"Bright, light straw-yellow with a green-gold hue, very slightly watery on edge. The nose is gentle and elegantly presented with aromas of preserved lime, lemon peels, herbs and a flinty mineral undertone. A touch of cashew note is developing, resting on a creamy yeast contact element. Dry to taste, medium-full bodied, complex aromas of preserved lime and lemon, lemon peels have focus and tension, unfolding guava and grassy nuances. A soft note of white pepper lifting delicate floral, along with lemon sherbet and flinty minerals to a sustained, long finish. Mouthwatering acidity has vitality and is integrated with the fruit and oak components, expend the wine in length and breadth. The long ageing and extended fine lees contact contribute to a supple and creamy mouthfeel along a powdery fine phenolic line. This is a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc with complexing flavours of citrus, herbs and flintiness, presented with focus and tension along a supple texture line. Match with pork & fennel meatballs and pancetta-wrapped chicken ballotine over the next 6-8 years."

"It is dry and full bodied thanks to 100% barrel fermentation in old French oak, which adds savoury notes and depth as well as a smooth texture. It has creamy flavours to burn and a long, zesty, citrusy finish."

"Released at seven years of age it is beautifully complex with the typical guava and citrus fruits of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, although now more reserved, lifted by layers of diesel, honey and spicy oak. It takes on a more savoury side in the mouth – acacia and nutty nuances with creamy lees and zippy acidity that adds some bite and provides a long finish. It screams out for fine dining and matching with complex seafood dishes."

"Very stylish chardonnay with purity and power. Tangy, vibrant wine with citrus, green apple, oyster-shell, ginger and baguette crust flavours. A bright, youthful, high-energy wine that gives a nod in the direction of Burgundy."

"Yet again, there's some reductive character - aiming at Coche? Real beginning, middle and end to the fresh, leesy, super-clean fruit. Bone-dry, smoky finish. Invigorating."

"A complex chardonnay with guava, lime and lightly grilled-peach aromas, as well as flint and toasted hazelnut. The palate has an impressively taut and concentrated feel with praline, hazelnut, peach and lemon flavors all intertwined. Good depth."

"Bright, pale yellow with a gold hue and some depth, slightly lighter edged. The nose is full and giving, nuances of positive reduction, nutty intermix smoky mineral, unfolding buttery notes, underlined citrus and pineapple. Medium-full bodied, the palate is bright with aromas of lemon sherbet, lemon peel, pineapple interweave toasted almonds in a healthy portion; pomelo unveils on the mid-palate, along with oak spices flow along a creamy line to linearity. The palate weight is buoyant with a touch of creaminess; invigorating acid provides tension, length and vitality. The fruit has purity and concentration, lingering to a subtle saline and mineral finish.  Although it’s pleasing to consume now, it has excellent potential for further development of nutty elements and integrated acidity. This is a well-structured Chardonnay with vibrant citrus concentration, complexity in details and weight, ample ageing potential. Match with butternut squash risotto and mud crab over the next 8-10 years."

"Alluring scents of ripe citrus and apple, peach, quince and a touch of golden kiwifruit followed by spices and mild toasty barrel layers, vanilla and raw sugar then a gun-flint soil complexity. On the palate – youthful and vibrant with layers of barrel spice and wood underpinning flavours of stone fruit and citrus reflecting the bouquet. Fine wood tannins, medium+ acidity, knocking on the door of full-bodied and a satin texture showcases bot this wines deliciousness now, potential for cellaring and readiness for food. Well made, youthful and best cellared for a while longer with best drinking from late 2021 through 2029+."

"The 2018 vintage is bright, light yellow/green, with a fragrant, slightly smoky bouquet. Tightly structured with a real sense of youthful vigour, it has intense stone-fruit flavours, finely integrated oak, fresh acidity, and impressive complexity. Best drinking 2023+"

"This is a superbly youthful chardonnay style showing a wonderful combination of complex and powerful fruit, although needs a little time to show its best. It radiates with punchy, bright fruits – honeydew, green mango and citrus are wound up tightly in a blanket of spicy oak that is a little raw right now. On the palate it’s more giving with a core of citrus and floral fruits underpinned by vanillin oak and driven by zippy acidity to a long and tight finish. Beautiful composure, complexity and length will see this wine drink very well over the next decade."

"Supple, vibrant, organic pinot noir with cherry, violet, blackcurrant leaf, spice, anise, and subtle nutty oak flavours. High-energy wine with impressive purity. An elegant and youthful pinot noir with obvious cellaring potential."

"Paler and less blue than the exceptional Dog Point 2017 Pinot Noir. Transparent garnet. Sweet, violet-scented fruit. Very gentle, delicate and nuanced but not quite as compelling as the 2017. It's savoury and dry - there's no distracting sweetness, no beetroot quality, no obvious oakiness. Very light vegetal note but it's fully ripe fruit. So neat! You could certainly enjoy it now but I suspect it might be even better next year. Amazing that one producer can be so good at both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, and pretty smart Chardonnay too."

"Bright mid cherry red in colour, it opens up with aromas of the forrest – spice, earth, truffle and undergrowth providing a savoury start. But then pretty aromatic fruits start to emerge – beetroot, dark cherry, star anise and potpourri all underpinned by well chosen oak. It is beautifully complex and, most of all, superbly balanced. The palate continues on that earthy, brooding line with tobacco, stalk and spice offset by fleshy dark cherry fruits. It is almost surprisingly tannic with strong structure and also a meaty/funky edge on a long and supple finish. Delicious and great value Kiwi Pinot."

"Attractive, earthy and spicy aromas are wound seamlessly into bright, red and darker cherries. This is complex and fragrant with dialed-in oak. The palate has impressively red-cherry flavors with succulent acidity and smooth, fluid tannins. Composed finish. Drink or hold."

"The 2018 vintage is fragrant, mouth filling and supple with rich, vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent complexity and harmony. Still youthful, it’s already delicious and likely to be at its best 2023+."

"Deep, dark ruby-red with moderate transparency, slightly lighter edge. The nose is youthful and coy, nuances of blackberries, red cherries melded with floral perfume and delicate spices of vanilla, cinnamon. Medium-full bodied, a measure of liquorice broaden the palate, entwined with blackberries, cherries and blueberries, along with soil mineral component. Powdery tannins with a good grip, contribute to the structure and aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg spices. Acidity is integrated and lively, lingers through the palate with spices and blueberry nuance with power, to a long, sustained finish. This is a robust Pinot Noir at its youth with flavours of blueberries, cherry pie and floral subtleties and spices. Will benefit from ageing or decanting. Match with venison and hare over the next 8-10 years."

"Complex, varietal and very inviting bouquet with aromas of sweet red berries, plum, tea and roses layered between scents of vanilla and mild toasty wood spices. On the palate – youthful, firm, fruity, varietal and dry. Flavours of cherry and plum then vanilla and raw sugar of newish oak precede textures of firm chalky tannins and medium+ acidity. A wine that still required development time to soften the tannins a little more and allow for more integration and harmony. Well made and ready to enjoy from late 2021 through 2027+"

"Restrained but well-layered and pretty aromas combine notes of plum and dark currant with those of spice and violet. There is fine richness to the delicious and appealingly vibrant medium weight flavors that possess a velvety texture, all wrapped in a moderately firm and youthfully austere finale that is sneaky long. This is already lovely though a wine that should easily repay extended cellaring. Worth checking out."

"Intense, precise sauvignon blanc with grapefruit, citrus, subtle passionfruit and a suggestion of struck flint character. A powerful wine that’s long and linear, with strong varietal definition that’s made more interesting with a hint of reductive character."

"A powerful yet controlled even complex bouquet of sauvignon blanc with aromas of apples and white flowers, wet stones and grapefruit, sweet hay, gooseberry and white peach. Tense, youthful, vibrant, varietal and packed with energy. A core of fruit reflects the impact and power from the bouquet, zippy acidity, some fruit spice and sweet hay all leading to a long finish. What’s not to like! Drink now and through 2021."

"This exceptional wine is highly aromatic, weighty and sweet-fruited, with intense, ripely herbaceous flavours and a crisp, very long finish. Certified organic."

"Very slightly reductive, struck-match nose and extra-bright fruit with strong passionfruit aromas and a certain amount of delicacy. Chalky finish. Lots of interest here. Very youthful and energetic indeed. Complimenti!"

"Very vivid, fresh passion fruit, lemon, yellow grapefruit and lime here with well cut, flinty elements in play. Some herb and lime-leaf notes too. The palate has fresh, lively and assertively zesty lime and passion-fruit flavors with a succulent, fleshy feel and big impact. Drink now."

"Mouthwatering and vivid, with a laser beam of focus and intensity to the Meyer lemon, ruby grapefruit and dried mango flavors. Peppery white flower aromas and a touch of freshly grated ginger add complexity."

"Perhaps the most complex regular Savvy I can recall from Dog Point, the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc offers up aromas that range from subtle notions of garden peas to melon, nectarine and pink grapefruit. It’s medium-bodied and silky in texture, generous yet crisp, with a focused, slightly chalky and deliciously lingering finish."

"Lovely weight on the midpalate, providing a feeling of sumptuousness. This was whole-bunch-pressed and hand-harvested, and neutral yeast was used (20% wild), which has created an air of restraint. Yes, there are classic passion fruit and gooseberry flavors, bu the volume is turned down, and a citrus backbone offers a fresh, composed conclusion."

"The flinty Dog Point style is quite original for Marlborough, so don’t expect the classic fruit explosion. Yet  2019 sees a slight pull back, featuring less marked ‘sulfide’ character and far more grapefruit and citrus, passion fruit and guava flavours. As such it will surely appeal more widely. Length and depth, and overall composition, are at the usual top level."

"Hand-picked from its own vineyards in Marlborough, Dog Point's Sauvignon is bright, crisp and super-fresh, more typical in Marlborough style than the barrel-fermented 'Section 94' cuvee, with huge punch and verve. Passionfruit is there, with tropical notes suggesting lychee and guava, a touch of capsicum, but really all about the fruit. In the mouth the texture has some richness and mealiness to it, the citrus blast of the acidity balanced perfectly against the more unctuous, tropical fruit into a dry and beautifully balanced finish. Typical and yet not, this is a fine example of Marlborough's unique Sauvignon style."

"This ranks among the country’s greatest oak-aged Sauvignon Blancs. Proving the ageability of well-crafted Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, it is still very vigorous, with light colour, a real sense of youthful drive, and lovely depth and harmony."

"Tantalising sauvignon blanc made from grapes grown on 29-year-old vines and aged in older French oak barrels for 18 months. Taut, savoury wine with chalky-mineral, struck-flint reductive characters and nut, ginger yeast lees supported by vibrant acidity. A harmonious wine from a top vintage. Should continue to age gracefully."

"Distinctive, complex, developing, enticing. Aromas of integration, white fleshed fruits and citrus, a mix of primary and developing bottle-age complexity. On the palate – immediately fruity with barrel ferment combinations – grapefruit and lemon, apple and lees autolysis. The back palate shows-off the gentle vanilla and custard sweetness of oak. Still fresh and youthful with medium+ acidity and lengthy detailed finish. A fantastic wine. Best drinking from today and through 2026+"

"Bright, light straw-yellow with a green-gold hue, very slightly watery on edge. The nose is gentle and elegantly presented with aromas of preserved lime, lemon peels, herbs and a flinty mineral undertone. A touch of cashew note is developing, resting on a creamy yeast contact element. Dry to taste, medium-full bodied, complex aromas of preserved lime and lemon, lemon peels have focus and tension, unfolding guava and grassy nuances. A soft note of white pepper lifting delicate floral, along with lemon sherbet and flinty minerals to a sustained, long finish. Mouthwatering acidity has vitality and is integrated with the fruit and oak components, expend the wine in length and breadth. The long ageing and extended fine lees contact contribute to a supple and creamy mouthfeel along a powdery fine phenolic line. This is a barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc with complexing flavours of citrus, herbs and flintiness, presented with focus and tension along a supple texture line. Match with pork & fennel meatballs and pancetta-wrapped chicken ballotine over the next 6-8 years."

"It is dry and full bodied thanks to 100% barrel fermentation in old French oak, which adds savoury notes and depth as well as a smooth texture. It has creamy flavours to burn and a long, zesty, citrusy finish."

"Alluring scents of ripe citrus and apple, peach, quince and a touch of golden kiwifruit followed by spices and mild toasty barrel layers, vanilla and raw sugar then a gun-flint soil complexity. On the palate – youthful and vibrant with layers of barrel spice and wood underpinning flavours of stone fruit and citrus reflecting the bouquet. Fine wood tannins, medium+ acidity, knocking on the door of full-bodied and a satin texture showcases bot this wines deliciousness now, potential for cellaring and readiness for food. Well made, youthful and best cellared for a while longer with best drinking from late 2021 through 2029+."

"A complex chardonnay with guava, lime and lightly grilled-peach aromas, as well as flint and toasted hazelnut. The palate has an impressively taut and concentrated feel with praline, hazelnut, peach and lemon flavors all intertwined. Good depth."

"Attractive, earthy and spicy aromas are wound seamlessly into bright, red and darker cherries. This is complex and fragrant with dialed-in oak. The palate has impressively red-cherry flavors with succulent acidity and smooth, fluid tannins. Composed finish. Drink or hold."

Restrained but well-layered and pretty aromas combine notes of plum and dark currant with those of spice and violet. There is fine richness to the delicious and appealingly vibrant medium weight flavors that possess a velvety texture, all wrapped in a moderately firm and youthfully austere finale that is sneaky long. This is already lovely though a wine that should easily repay extended cellaring. Worth checking out. 

"Hand-picked from its own vineyards in Marlborough, Dog Point's Sauvignon is bright, crisp and super-fresh, more typical in Marlborough style than the barrel-fermented 'Section 94' cuvee, with huge punch and verve. Passionfruit is there, with tropical notes suggesting lychee and guava, a touch of capsicum, but really all about the fruit. In the mouth the texture has some richness and mealiness to it, the citrus blast of the acidity balanced perfectly against the more unctuous, tropical fruit into a dry and beautifully balanced finish. Typical and yet not, this is a fine example of Marlborough's unique Sauvignon style."