Dog Point Chardonnay 2023

Cellar for up to 8 years. Serve chilled. The name of Dog Point Vineyard refers to the earliest days of European settlement in Marlborough when shepherd’s dogs from the local sheep farms escaped and formed a wild pack which lived in this region. Today Marlborough is better known for its wines than its sheep farms, and Dog Point Vineyard was founded by viticulturist Ivan Sutherland and winemaker James Healy after they both left the world-famous Cloudy Bay winery. Initially the duo began creating wines from Sutherland’s own vineyards which were planted in the Wairau Valley in the 1970s and 1980s. The area is well-suited to premium viticulture thanks to the warm sunny days, cool nights and breezes from the nearby coast. The grapes are all picked by hand to maximise quality and fermented in French oak barrels with minimal intervention. The young wine is then left to mature in the barrel for 18 months and bottled with minimal filtration and no fining. The nose opens with seductive notes of vanilla, toast, citrus zest and hints of biscuit and brioche. On the palate there is a complex flavour profile with ripe tropical fruit balanced by touches of spice and woodsmoke from the oak ageing. The rich texture and full body make this a great match for creamy chicken or fish dishes or a generous selection of cheeses.