Vintus

Wine Spectator published an article by MaryAnn Worobiec, senior editor and lead taster on New Zealand wines, entitled “New Zealand’s Bright Horizon”. The article discusses how far New Zealand wines have come in the industry, the amazing wines the region produces and the accomplished winemakers who have contributed to the bright future New Zealand wines have. Worobiec says the demand for New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays is booming for good reason, these wines offer high quality and the majority of them cost $30 or less per bottle. “New Zealand is now the world’s 10th largest exporter by value.”

She also mentions, “At Dog Point, winemaker James Healy ages the Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Section 94 2011 (90, $36) for 18 months in older French oak barrels. These wines – and a number of the other top Sauvignon Blancs – exhibit an enticing range of aromatics and offer supple textures.”  You can read more about all the great things New Zealand wines have to offer by click here. Also, see the photo below of James Healy himself feature in the article!

Dog Point recently shared their April 2013 newsletter featuring their harvest report along with other news, wine reviews, and upcoming events. The 2013 harvest is described as widely regarded as one of the most intense and compact ever experienced. “A fantastic summer with plenty of sun and warm weather has led to excellent ripening of the fruit, making for a busy time as Dog Point’s fruit is transferred from the vineyard to the winery.” Click here to read the full newsletter and more about each wine!

The wine blog Vinography, by Alder Yarrow, has a new post on the brand new releases from Dog Point Vineyard. There is some great information about the winery and the wines, which he notes as “some of the most refreshing wines being made in New Zealand’s Marlborough region.” His tasting notes are below. All of the new vintages received scores of 9 out of 10 or higher!  Click here to read the full blog post.

2012 Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Pale gold in the glass, this wine smells of gooseberries and wet stones and lime juice. In the mouth bright lime juice, wet chalkboard and passion fruit flavors have a nice chalky quality to them that is quite pretty. Classically styled but somehow more mineral than someMarlborough Sauvignon Blancs. Wonderful acidity and balance. Nice lemony note on the finish 13.5% alcohol. Score: 9-9.5/10 .

2011 Dog Point Vineyard “Section 94″ Sauvignon Blanc
Pale greenish gold in the glass, this wine smells of struck match and white flowers with a hint of lemon curd. In the mouth bright lemon curd and lemon juice flavors mix with stony deep minerality and an almost tannic quality. Wonderfully long finish.14% alcohol. Score: 9-9.5/10 .

2011 Dog Point Vineyard Chardonnay
Pale greenish gold in the glass, this wine smells of wet stones and a hint of white flowers with lemon curd backing that up. The tiniest hint of toastiness comes through as well. In the mouth pink grapefruit and lemon juice mix with lemon curd and a deep wet granite character that is quite compelling. Lean and bright without any signature of new oak (the wine is made with 15% new barrels). Fantastic acidity and great balance. One of the best Chardonnays I’ve ever had from New Zealand. 14% alcohol. Score: 9.5/10 .

2011 Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir
Medium garnet in color, this wine smells of forest berries and forest floor. In the mouth gorgeously smooth forest berry flavors mix with a wonderful earthiness . Excellent acidity keeps the wine bright and fresh, and the powdery tannins that grip the palate are smooth and supple and allow the generous, stony fruit to shine. 14% alcohol. Score: Score: 9-9.5/10 .

2010 Dog Point Vineyard Pinot Noir Southern Valleys
Medium garnet in the glass, this wine smells of slightly sweet cherry and cranberry. In the mouth cranberry and a wet stony character are dusted with nearly imperceptible tannins. Good acidity keeps the wine bright. Moderate finish. Score: 9/10

The 2010 Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc from Dog Point received the second-highest score in Wine Anorak’s ranking of 12 iconic Sauvignon Blancs from all over the world, bested only by Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc Graves 2010. The blind tasting was organized by Brancott Wine Estates earlier this month in order to promote the release of their new high-end Sauvignon Blanc. The stellar line-up included such benchmarks as Didier Dagueneau Silex Pouilly Fume 2010 (93 points) and Cloudy Bay Te Koko 2010 (92 points). The 94-point rating and comments from Jamie Goode below confirm that Dog Point is right up there in the league of these top-flight Sauvignon Blancs…

Dog Point Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough, New Zealand

“Fine, nervous, taut nose of spice, grapefruit and a hint of mineral/matchstick reduction. The palate is taut, textured and reductive with flint, minerals and spice. Stylish with lovely precision: an amazing Sauvignon. 94/100″

Click here to see Wine Anorak’s tasting notes on all the Sauvignon Blancs!

Australian wine writer Nick Stock and James Suckling discuss the “magic of non- oaked” white wines. Suckling mentions Dog Point’s 2012 Sauvignon Blanc as one of their “unoaked picks”. He says “One of the most popular unoaked whites in the Asia Pacific region remains sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, particularly those from Cloudy Bay. Most come from the largest wine region of New Zealand, Marlborough, but equally exciting sauvignons can be found from Hawke’s Bay. I like the more steely styles from Dog Point Vineyard and Greywacke.” See below his review and score of the 2012 Sauvignon Blanc and click here to read the full article.

Dog Point Vineyard 2012 Sauvignon Blanc “It’s got all the guava and grapefruit character you could want with a chalky texture and lively intensity.” 92 Points

Blogger, Jamie Goode, writes of some wines he shared over lunch with his sister. In the mix was Dog Point’s 2012 Sauvignon Blanc. Read his comments below, or click here to read the full post.

“First of all, Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2012. This is the second time I’ve had this wine, and I don’t think there are many better Marlborough Sauvignons out there. It’s precise, aromatic and taut with a lovely grapefruit character as well as subtle green grassy notes. I really like the 2012 vintage in Marlborough, which was a very cool year saved from disaster by a long, warm autumn.”

The recent Wine Spectator Editor’s Picks issue gives readers their personal recommendations on what to drink, what to cellar, where to eat and more. Senior tasting coordinator MaryAnn Worobiec focuses on Sauvignon Blanc and Petite Sirah, and is the lead taster for New Zealand wines. Worobiec recommends to drink New Zealand wines, Sauvignon Blanc in particular. She mentions James Healy from Dog Point having her “excited about the future of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc”. Click below to read all of MaryAnn Worobiec’s recommendations.

Dog Point Vineyard just revamped their Web-site. It’s now packed with lots of great information, videos, photos, newsletters and more. Click below to check it out!

The Wine Advocate just published their latest New Zealand wine reviews. In her introduction, New Zealand critic Lisa Perrotti-Brown singles out a  small group of producers who are taking New Zealand beyond good to very good wines, to the “pursuit of greatness”.  11 wines are noted as Sauvignon Blancs for the cellar, headed by Dog Point Section 94 2010.  She comments, “Don’t get me wrong, there are some truly great and age-worthy dry Sauvignon Blancs in the world – Pavillon Blanc du Chateau Margaux is one of my desert island wines. But this grape needs a lot of work in the vineyard and winery in order to build complexity and ageability. Fortunately for lovers of this style (like me) we’re just starting to see some movements in NZ amongst a few producers towards forging truly great Sauvignons that can cellar. During my tastings for this report, I highlighted a few top examples for readers who are interested in experiencing NZ Sauvignon at that next level.” Below is the complete list. Click on the text to view the full article (subscription only).