2012 DOG POINT SECTION 94 SAUVIGNON BLANC - GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc aka ‘Savvy’ has been a victim of its own success. So commoditised has it become that respected brands such as Wither Hills are regularly discounted to less than $15 per bottle. Drinkers who once swore by Sauvignon Blanc, preferably from Marlborough, have abandoned it in favour of Pinto Gris/Grigio and revitalised Chardonnay.

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc aka ‘Savvy’ has been a victim of its own success. So commoditised has it become that respected brands such as Wither Hills are regularly discounted to less than $15 per bottle. Drinkers who once swore by Sauvignon Blanc, preferably from Marlborough, have abandoned it in favour of Pinto Gris/Grigio and revitalised Chardonnay.

Along the way, we have forgotten that, at its best, Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is actually a very good drink. Dog Point has long been a standard bearer for high quality Marlbrough Sauvignon Blanc. Little surprise that the 2012 vintage release of Section 94 is rather good juice.

This is a powerfully charged, intense expression of Sauvignon Blanc. There’s no lack of acidity, which provides the wine’s building blocks from a structural standpoint. In terms of fruit profile, the wine is unmistakeably New World. However, its extrovert tendencies are sufficiently tempered so the wine avoids falling into caricature. If you’ve fallen out of love with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc this is the sort of wine that will rekindle the flame. 

2012 DOG POINT SECTION 94 SAUVIGNON BLANC

Producer: Dog Point

Variety: Sauvignon Blanc

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand

ABV: 13.5%

Closure: Screw cap

Retail Price: $38.00

Date tasted: 21 January 2017

Tasting Note:

Pale silvery yellow with hints of green. Unmistakable Marlborough Sauvignon nose of tropical fruit (passionfruit, guava), nettles, cut grass and grapefruit zest. Medium bodied, very powerful – wonderful drive and intensity. Thunderous natural acidity delivers considerable cut and thrust. The flavour profile is intense and reflects the nose. Green bean and capsicum lend vegetal notes. The classy side of Marlborough.

Score: 17/20