2021 Dog Point Pinot Noir Organic, Marlborough

Intense, appealing pinot noir with subtle floral aromas together with concentrated red berry, dark chocolate, liquorice, wood smoke and spicy oak flavours. Powerful wine with obvious cellaring potential. 14 SEP 2023 Drink 2023–2031

95 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com

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. This wine has all the makings of a long lived Marlborough pinot noir and matches perfectly with duck, red meats (particularly venison and lamb), and mushroom dishes.

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. 

Vineyard Location Marlborough home vineyards, Settlement and Yarrum, primarily on hill slopes. Viticulture 3.2 tonnes/hectare. Vines are 21 years old on average. Some plantings date back to 1983. Harvested 24th February - 25th March 2021 Clones 62% Dijon Clones (667, 777, 115, 828, 943), 21% UCD5, 9% AM10/5, 8% Abel. Soil Clay loams.

Vintage A cool and frosty start to the growing season and flowering period, naturally reduced yields to our lowest levels in over 20 years. Novembers rain was welcomed prior to the driest summer on record with only 66mm (50% lower than average) over this period. Temperatures were warm, only slightly above average, which enabled a smooth, steady growing season with little disease pressure.

Winemaking Hand picked and chilled overnight prior to handsorting. 70% destemmed and 30% whole bunches included. Fermented in small stainless open top fermenters with 100% indigenous yeasts over a period of 3 weeks prior to pressing into French oak barrels for eighteen months (30% new).

Colour Deep ruby Aroma Dark and brooding aromas of doris plum, baking spices and brambles, with dried herbal notes and musky florals of old fashioned roses. Palate Bold, dark fruits lead on the palate, with an energy and drive that offers great enjoyment. The acidity brings freshness and the supple, fine-grained tannins that build show fine pedigree from a great year for Marlborough Pinot Noir. This powerful and concentrated expression is bound to reward further cellaring. It should prove to be long lived.

Cellaring Drinks beautifully now or can be cellared for 10+ years.

Technical Alcohol 13.5% Acidity 5.5g/l pH 3.65