Product Description
The Dog Point Chardonnay 2022 is a testament to the vineyard’s organic philosophy and commitment to producing exceptional wines that reflect the terroir of Marlborough. A youthful, citrus-driven wine, it showcases the classic purity and precision that Dog Point is renowned for, with a complex array of smoky, flinty, and toasty notes derived from its 18-month barrel aging process on full solids. The palate is bright, crisp, and saline, offering a refreshing structure that speaks to the vineyard’s dedication to low interventionist practices. With its ability to age gracefully, this vintage promises to evolve beautifully over time, making it an ideal addition to any wine cellar.
The fruit is handpicked from vines dating back to 1984, and after a careful whole bunch pressing, it is fermented naturally using indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (10% new). This wine pairs perfectly with a range of dishes, including scallops, white fish, poultry, and BBQ pork, highlighting its versatility and refined character.
Maker
Dog Point Vineyard is one of Marlborough’s oldest and most respected privately owned wineries, founded by Ivan and Margaret Sutherland in the late 1970s. As pioneers in the region, they helped shape the evolution of the Marlborough wine industry, with the Dog Point label officially launching in 2004. Today, the vineyard remains family-owned, with the next generation continuing the tradition of producing wines with uncompromising quality and attention to detail.
The vineyard is New Zealand’s largest certified organic vineyard, producing wines that reflect the pristine environment of Marlborough. Dog Point’s wines are made with minimal intervention, using wild yeasts and a philosophy focused on authenticity, balance, and the natural expression of the land. This commitment to organic viticulture and low intervention winemaking allows their wines to shine with purity and complexity, making each bottle a true representation of the Dog Point estate.
Philosophy
At Dog Point, the philosophy is rooted in organic farming, sustainability, and a commitment to the land. They believe that the best wines come from the vines themselves, nurtured by nature, with minimal intervention during the winemaking process. Dog Point’s organic principles are reflected in every step of their production, from hand-picking the grapes to fermenting in French oak barrels with indigenous yeasts.
The estate’s vineyards are planted on free-draining silty clay loams and hillside blocks, which provide optimal conditions for slow ripening, allowing the grapes to develop deep, concentrated flavors. Dog Point’s low-cropping approach ensures that only the best fruit is selected, and the use of minimal filtration and no fining in the winery reflects their hands-off ethos. This dedication to organic viticulture and minimal intervention ensures that their wines are as expressive of the land as they are of the winemakers’ vision.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Citrus, Flint, Toasted Oak
A vibrant nose of zesty citrus fruits, intertwined with complex aromas of flint and toasted oak. Subtle hints of biscuit and a touch of smoky character emerge, showcasing the wine’s extended barrel aging and natural fermentation.
Palate
Saline, Crisp, Elegant
The palate is bright and crisp, with a pure saline quality that reflects the vineyard’s maritime influence. Rich yet finely structured, it delivers notes of lemon zest and green apple, balanced by a hint of toasted nuts and a creamy texture from the barrel aging.
Finish
Mineral, Lively, Fresh
A long, mineral-driven finish that is clean and refreshing. The wine’s crisp acidity and lingering citrus notes provide an elegant and satisfying conclusion, making each sip more enticing than the last.
Reviews + Accolades
This classy wine is estate-grown and hand-picked on the south side of the Wairau Valley, fermented and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (typically 10 per cent new), and given a full, softening malolactic fermentation. The 2022 vintage was harvested from vines averaging 28-year-old. Bright, light lemon/green, it is still a baby, but already approachable. Mouth filling, vibrantly fruity and savoury, it has rich stone fruit flavours, gently seasoned with biscuity oak, lively acidity and a tight, finely poised finish. Best drinking 2027+. Certified organic. - Michael Cooper, NZ - 5 Stars
Evident, savoury reduction here which reluctantly gives way to a driven mouth-filling and concentrated palate with hazelnut, grilled citrus and oak. Elegant and well-defined with excellent acid structure. Very young, it is clearly impressive and made in a modern fashion. One to put away for a year or two: it has the balance to develop slowly and gain complexity. - Stephen Wong, The Real Review - 94 Points
Very beautiful with sliced cooked apples, pie crust, dried Meyer lemons and lemon curd. Hints of flint. Full-bodied and layered, this has pretty phenolic tension and a flavourful, tangy finish. A complete and balanced Chardonnay. - James Suckling - 94 Points
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - New Zealand
Region - Marlborough
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
