Located in Marlborough, New Zealand's premium wine growing region, Dog Point Vineyards produce wines that respect the natural integrity of the land from which they are made and, reflect the experience and passion of the people that make them.

Dog Point Vineyard combines the considerable wine-growing experience of Ivan and Margaret Sutherland and James and Wendy Healy, all former personnel at Cloudy Bay. The philosophy is total involvement by the partners from the vineyard through the winemaking process to marketing regionally distinctive and vineyard expressive wines.

"A bright perfumed, supple expression of Marlborough pinot noir from clay hill slopes. The fruit is supported by bright florals of rose and violets with crunchy red berry fruit and dried herb notes. The palate is succulent with alluring red cherry, brown spices and silky fine boned tannins.

Comprising six different pinot noir clones from vines dating back to 1983. Vines are cropped at 5 tonnes/ha (35hl/ha), hand harvested and hand sorted, prior to de-stemming (25% whole bunch included). The fruit is fermented in small stainless open top fermenters without pumping. Fermentation is conducted by indigenous yeasts over a period of 2-3 weeks prior to pressing into French oak barrels (30% new) for 18 months."

Bouquet: Bright, lifted, red fruit driven with Marlborough's hallmark spiciness complimented by dried herb, smokey and meaty notes in the background.

Palate: A juicy and plush Pinot Noir with pure red berry flavours. The wines cleansing acidity and fine, soft tannins are evident, characteristic of Marlborough's clay based Southern Valley soils.

Food match: Duck and other game birds, red meats, mushroom dishes.

"Ripe cherries, red plums, raspberries, baking spices and dried flowers on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with fresh acidity and a velvety texture. Structured and chalky. Flavourful finish with excellent length. A couple of years of bottle age will make this even better, but it's delicious already. Drink or hold."
93 points. James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, (April 2022)