96 Points - Erin Larkin Dog Point Vineyard is situated in the Wairau Valley, the major grape growing region of New Zealand. It combines the considerable wine growing experience of Ivan and Margaret Sutherland and James and Wendy Healy, formerly of the famous Cloudy Bay winery. The philosophy of Dog Point Wines is total involvement by the partners from the vineyard through the wine making process to marketing regionally distinctive and vineyard expressive wines. This 2023 Dog Point Chardonnay is a ripe, citrus driven example with subtle biscuit, oatmeal and mild flinty notes on the nose. On the palate, Dog Points' hallmark fresh, vibrant acidity offered by the Mendoza Chardonnay clone offers vitality and vibrancy. A modest amount of new oak delivering subtle char and phenolic structure to the wine. An intensely flavoured yet youthful and lively vintage of Dog Point Chardonnay that has enormous appeal for Chardonnay lovers. "96 Points. Hand picked from the Home vineyard, with vines dating back to 1984. Whole-bunch pressed and matured in French oak, 10% new, for 18 months. A tight wire of Buddha’s hand citrus, lemon gum oil and yellow peach fuzz leads the nose, followed by a flicker of toasted coconut and creamy oak dust. Quince and loquat notes weave through the profile. On the palate, it is total seduction, with acidity nestled into every crevice and undulating waves of citrus supported by orchard fruit. There’s a lacy, finely woven skin grip and a laser-like line of fruit that carries on and on. There is so much to unpack, yet you’ll find your glass empty far too quickly. This vintage is holding its shape and fruit freshness incredibly well."- Shanteh Wale, Halliday Wine Companion. "96 Points. The 2023 Chardonnay is incredibly tightly coiled and mineral on the nose, with white flowers, crushed shells, wet chalk and white pepper. This is overwhelming "white" in character, and I love it. The saline, mineral aspect of it is highly attractive to me, and as it unfolds like an origami paper crane through the finish, it shows precision and finesse in equal measure. While 2022 may have been a challenging vintage in the vineyard, they saw none of that it in the 2023 season. This is sapid and penetrating in its quiet way. Wow. Sealed under screw cap."- Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate.
