A new release of an old wine has highlighted just how far small steps can take a wine and how well Sauvignon Blanc can age, given half a chance.
The wine is the 2014 Dog Point Vineyards Section 94. It has never had the grape variety on the label and, if winery founders Ivan Sutherland and James Healy continue to have their way, it never will. The aim is to highlight the site, not the grape. In keeping with their interesting and approach, which emulates the great classic European wines, they have also fully converted all of their vineyards to organic certification. All of their grapes in Section 94 are hand harvested and fermentation is 100% in old French oak. These little incremental steps take this wine a long way.
The grapes were gently pressed to tank for 24 hours of settling prior to 18 months of fermentation and maturation in older French oak barrels with wild yeasts and no additions. The wine was bottled without fining and with a minimal filtration to retain weight and maximise concentration of flavour in the wine.
Wine of the week
2014 Dog Point Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc $36.99
One of my faves right now because it’s incredible how well a wine such as this can age, when given half the chance. This museum release comes from Dog Point Vineyards’ iconic Section 94; a plot named after the original Lands & Survey map. 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.
18.5/20
Fun facts about Dog Point Vineyards
- Dog Point Vineyards’ new 2020 Dog Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best yet; from a great quality vintage, even if it was challenging on other fronts, due to the global pandemic, which is bound to ensure that the 2020 vintage lives long in our memories.
- This winery is also the biggest landholder of organically certified vineyards in New Zealand today, all of them in Marlborough.
- Dog Point Vineyards also makes outstanding extra virgin olive oil.
