2020 Dog Point - Pinot Noir Marlborough (750ml)

Dog Point Vineyard was founded by James Healy and Ivan Sutherland, whose family holdings rank among the oldest privately established vineyards in Marlborough, New Zealand, and today make up the country's largest certified organic vineyard. The estate sits on the hill slopes of Marlborough's Southern Valleys subregion, an area recognized for producing some of New Zealand's most compelling Pinot Noir. Dog Point built its reputation on low-intervention winemaking, favoring indigenous yeast fermentation and extended aging to give its wines depth without sacrificing purity of fruit.

This Pinot Noir comes from the Settlement and Yarrum vineyards, planted on clay hill slopes with six different clones, some dating back to 1983 and now averaging twenty years of age. Yields are kept low, and the fruit is hand-picked, chilled overnight, and hand-sorted before a portion is left as whole clusters alongside destemmed grapes. Fermentation takes place in small open-top stainless steel vessels using entirely indigenous yeasts over roughly three weeks, after which the wine ages for eighteen months in French oak, a modest share of it new.

The wine shows a deep ruby color with an aromatic lift of dark cherry, plum, and violet, layered with baking spice and dried herb. On the palate it is medium-bodied and savory, with fine, silky tannins and real length. It pairs well with roast duck, grilled lamb, or mushroom-based dishes.