We are delighted to announce the arrival of Dog Point Wines to the Corking Wines portfolio.
The story of Dog Point in many ways tells the history of Marlborough itself. In 1979, when the Dog Point vineyard was planted by Ivan and Margaret Sutherland, Marlborough was a long way from being the household name amongst wine drinkers that it is today. It was something of a gamble at the time to make this investment, but having watched the first stages of the growth of wine production in Marlborough with interest, the Sutherlands leaped. This early investment proved to be a sage decision, and as the popularity of Marlborough grew (thanks in no small part to Ivan Sutherland’s work as chief viticulturist at Cloudy Bay), the fruit from this vineyard in Marlborough’s southern valleys became highly sought after by the quality-focused producers in the region. Whilst at Cloudy Bay, Sutherland met James Healy, who was then the head winemaker, and together they aspired to produce their wines
This dream came to fruition with the 2002 vintage and the first wines made under the Dog Point name were released in 2004, quickly winning global acclaim. Dog Point’s icon status has been maintained through a meticulous approach in both the vineyard and the winery, which is now the responsibility of the next generation of the Sutherland family who manage the business today
The focus of the winery is producing wines that are expressive of their origin, complex, and with the ability to age. Winemaker Murray Cook achieves this using a hands-off approach, with whole-bunch pressing, indigenous yeasts, and minimal racking and handling. The focused range of just four wines allows for real precision and a coherent and recognizable house style
Dog Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
WINEMAKING
The grapes come from vines planted on silty-clay loam soils, with some
gravel interspersed. The vines are all UCD1 clones and are cropped at
around eight tons per hectare. All harvesting is carried out by hand.
The grapes were whole-bunch pressed and the juice was cold settled.
A proportion of the juice was fermented using indigenous yeasts and
Following fermentation the wine was aged for four months in stainless
steel tanks before being bottled without fining.
TASTING
Classic citrus and crisp apple aromas, with some gentle tropical
undertones on the nose. The palate combines fresh citrus and lemon
peel, with a saline acidity and a subtle smokiness on the finish.
Dog Point Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2020
WINEMAKING
The grapes come from a single parcel within the Dog Point vineyard
planted in 1992 on silty-clay loam soils, with some gravel interspersed.
The vines are all UCD1 clones and are cropped at around eight tons perhectare. All harvesting is carried out by hand.
The grapes were whole-bunch pressed into a tank and the juice was cold
settled for twenty-four hours. Fermentation took place in mostly older
French oak barrels using indigenous yeasts. The wine was then aged for
eighteen months in a barrel before being bottled without fining.
TASTING
Citrus fruit is complemented by a pronounced stoniness and layers of
spice. Powerful and vibrant, with a dense core that is textured and rich,
yet tempered by the restrained, zesty finish.
Dog Point Marlborough Chardonnay 2020
WINEMAKING
The grapes come from vines planted on silty-clay loam soils, with some
gravel interspersed. The vines are 78% Mendoza clone and 22% Clone 95
with an average age of twenty-seven and are cropped at around six tonsper hectare. All harvesting is carried out by hand.
The grapes were whole-bunch pressed straight to barrel (10% new),
without clarification and fermentation took place using indigenous yeasts.
Spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place and the wine aged for
eighteen months in a barrel before being bottled unfined and with
minimal filtration.
TASTING
Pronounced notes of gunflint and struck match on the nose are followed
on the palate by ripe citrus and stone fruit flavors. Focused, with a fine
core of acidity and an almost crystalline purity on the mid-palate,
giving way to a nutty, spicy finish.
Dog Point Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020
WINEMAKING
The grapes come from vines planted on clay loam soils. The vines are a mix
of six different clones, including Dijon, UCD5, and Abel, and are on average
Forty years old. The vines are cropped at around six tons per hectare.
All harvesting is carried out by hand.
The grapes were chilled overnight and then hand sorted, with 30% whole
bunches included. Fermentation took place over three weeks in small
stainless steel open-top fermenters using indigenous yeasts. The wine
was then pressed into French oak barrels (30% new) for eighteen
months’ aging.
TASTING
Subtle smokey notes frame the aromas of dark berries and plums.
The palate shows opulent fruit over a velvety texture and silky,
finely-grained tannins, finishing with a hint of warming spice.