By: AJ McClellan
James Healy and Ivan Sutherland dropped in today as an unexpected surprise with the current release of their Dog Point wines out of New Zealand. I have been a fan of Dog Point since I tasted their 2006 Section 94 that blew my socks off! The vines of Dog Point are on average 18 years of age and produce a remarkably low yield of 2 tons an acre.
In speaking to James and Ivan they told me of their 12 years together making wine at Cloudy Bay, after the vineyard was bought by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Möet Hennessy) they went out to purchase their own vineyard and make an outstanding wine of their own. The production of Dog Point is very small with the Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay averaging 1500 cases a year. It amazes me out meticulous they are with their harvesting and sorting processes taking out the under and over ripe grapes to give their wines a remarkable clean taste and brilliant reflection of the Marlborough Terroir.
2009 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc - Banana leaf, tangerine, and bright citrus notes on the nose. The palate shows a rich creaminess with bright acidity and long finish. This is a brilliant wine for the price point that blows the competitors away.
2008 Dog Point Chardonnay – This is a truly special wine with a great bubblegum nose that also shows a touch of flint and a hint of vanilla bean. The palate is amazing with a zingy acidity and lovely toast notes. This is a brilliant wine for summer drinking or just to pop and pour with friends.
2008 Dog Point Pinot Noir – Gorgeous luminescent purple in the glass with a nose of fresh voiles and perfectly ripe Bing cherries and red currants. The palate shows a great minerality with light elegant fruits that caress the tongue and a fantastic finish that lasts for a good 30 seconds.