Dog Point Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc 2020

96+ POINTS: Heiner Lobenberg
95 POINTS: James Suckling
95 POINTS: Wine Spectator
94+ POINTS: Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

14% Abv

“The Section 94 grows in a top parcel within the Dog Point Vineyard in Marlborough on silty-clayey loam soil. The vines are already around 30 years old. Naturally, everything is hand-picked from the organically and dynamically cultivated vineyards at Dog Point, which is by no means standard in New Zealand. After pure spontaneous fermentation, the wine is matured in used French barrels. Is this the answer to a white Bordeaux? A Pessac from Smith Haut Lafitte? Or rather a Sauvignon Blanc from Vacheron aged in wood? Somewhere in between. Flint and hazelnut, alongside grapefruit and lime. Very mineral and taut like a Chablis from Piuze. Very focused, great direction and terrific structure with immense length, yet fine and fresh despite the noticeable use of wood. Despite its superficial depth, it belongs in the ranks of the world's great Sauvignons with the Südsteiermark, the Loire and Bordeaux.”
— 96+ Points, Heiner Lobenberg

“Layers of crushed stones, smoked almonds, green apples, lemon pith, white pepper, licorice and oyster shells. It's so powerful and concentrated. Tightly wound and phenolic with a medium body and sharp acidity. Intense, and just keeps going. Always a sophisticated and complex sauvignon blanc. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
— 95 Points, James Suckling

“Stunning, with a complex, aromatic mix of beeswax, litsea oil, vetiver and honeysuckle notes up front, followed by ripe peach, melon and lemon curd flavors at the juicy core. Reveals whiffs of grilled lemon and smoke that swirl around the flavors, as well as a hint of crushed rock minerality on a supple, seamless frame. Gains momentum on the epic finish. Drink now through 2030. From New Zealand.”
— 95 Points, Wine Spectator

“The 2020 Section 94 is today five years from its harvest, and it shows a preponderance of yellow fruits, exotic spices, layers of cloves, star anise and fennel, with white cloth and beeswax. It's a powerful, tightly coiled wine of great length and complexity. These evolve favorably in the future, so drinking the estate Sauvignon Blanc in its youth is recommended, while you allow this to age and settle. This is a very impressive wine. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.”
— 94+ Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate