Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc is one of NZ’s premier SauvyB brands from Marlborough and the wine is made by the very talented ex-Cloudy Bay duo James Healy and Ivan Sutherland. As wine writer Bob Campbell puts it “these boys really know their stuff“.

Intense, pungent flavours leap out of the glass. It leave you under no illusions that this is anything but world class! Dog Point’s Sauvy never goes a vintage without the cream of the crop of global wine scribblers giving it the big ups.

This is the latest 2023 release which Master of Wine Bob Campbell has given 95/100 and a Top Rank Award in The Real Review. Bob said “Bright, fresh wine with typical varietal/regional characters including capsicum, gooseberry, lemongrass and passionfruit. Appealing purity with a perfect sweet/sour balance. A pleasure to taste.”

Scoring 5 Stars with Michael Cooper who said “Certified organic, this classic wine offers a clear style contrast to Section 94, Dog Point’s complex, barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc (see the Branded and Other White Wines section). Estate-grown at several vineyards in the Wairau Valley, it is hand-harvested, fermented and lees-aged in stainless steel tanks, but handled without oak. The thought-provoking 2023 vintage (5*) is arguably the best yet. Pale lemon/green, it is full-bodied and vigorous, with penetrating, ripe, passionfruit/lime flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a dry, long finish. Still unfolding, it should break into full stride mid-2024+.”

Like all Sauvy it’s best enjoyed in its youth. But a class wine like this will cellar for several years yet. Try it with fresh seafood like scallops, mussels and oysters or even pale/mild cheeses.