Dog Point 2008/09 Releases

Next to Cloudy Bay, Dog Point is probably my favorite producer from the Marlborough region in New Zealand. The 2008/09 releases are excellent and further cement this winery as one of the stars.

The 2009 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc has fresh citrus and some tropical flavours and is much less grassy than most NZ SBs. The fruit is finely balanced by the wine's acidity.

Score: 92/+

The star of the tasting is the 2008 Dog Point Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc. This wine sees some old oak which adds considerable complexity to the bouquet. Again, the wine is very well balanced, light, yet with great length and a long finish for a Sauvignon Blanc. The focus here is not so much the fruit, but the texture of the wine. This is an outstanding summer drink, which you can also enjoy on its own.

Score: 95/+++

The 2008 Dog Point Chardonnay is also excellent, but falls a bit behind the wine above. It tastes of citrus and apricot, but again, there is more focus on the texture of the wine. It has nutty elements and some minerality. This wine is more restrained than Chardonnay of the earlier years from this producer.

Score: 94/+

The 2008 Dog Point Pinot Noir is very savoury, very French. The wine has some complexity, but not quite the mouthfeel of the leading New Zealand producers.

Score: 92/0