We picked up this bottle without any particular plans for food pairing. Hot summer day influenced our decisions in a local wine shop. This was just one bottle of Marlborough sauvignon blanc we always want to keep in our fridge. Just in case.
Dog Point Vineyard
The name of the vineyard comes from the times of European settlement of Marlborough. When sheep were introduced to the area, due to lack of fences, boundary dogs kept the local flocks of sheep and the boundaries of the territory safe. Occasionally the dogs would run away and become wild, attacking the same flocks they used to protect. When settlers were able to get rid of those wild dogs, the area was named Dog Point.
Marlborough has known for its sunny climate and perfect autumn conditions for the slow ripening of the grapes.
The vineyard is centrally located at the confluence of the Brancott and Omaka Valleys. This location is widely considered to be a very desirable area for grape growing in Marlborough.
Dog Point vineyards are certified organic under the BioGro New Zealand Programme.
Nose
Lemon, green grass, grapefruit. A dance of herbal fragrances with one standing out particularly bright – sage. Some of you might not find this description pleasant, probably. The aroma of the salvia plant family is not quite the one associated with pleasure for some people. However, if you ever used sage essential oil in your diffuser, you will know what scent we are talking about.
The mix of stone fruit and maybe passion fruit came to mind when we tried it on the second day after opening and tasting it less chilled.
Palate
The first surprise was about the nice transition between sweet, fresh, and acid elements. The refreshing acidity was quite elegantly intertwined with flavors. Lemon verbena would roll into the sweetness of tangerines. Lemon and grapefruit would continuously sing their part and supporting apricot, passion fruit, and dried herbs.
The aftertaste was long and inviting. The skin of apricots with a hint of citrusy sweetness was there to stay.
Pairings
We spread tasting this wine over three days at different temperatures, and it continued to please.
On the second day, Lana paired it with chicken sauteed with some swiss chard, and a combination of spices with dried orange, and tarragon. This pairing worked perfectly.
If we have another chance to try this wine, we would probably go for oysters, crabs, or white fish. Sushi rolls would be another way we would like to enjoy it.
What Others Say
The most curious thing about this wine was little research we made after writing our tasting notes.
All famous reviewers described it differently.
James Suckling (93 points)
Pungent passion fruit, fragrant melon, Tahitian lime citrus. Edgy, exciting. Rampant intensity of fruit. Great acid.
Wine Spectator (92 points)
Beeswax, honeysuckle, lanolin, and marmalade. Apricot and lime zest flavors. Smooth and juicy.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (90 points)
Hints of green. Fig and stone fruit. White grapefruit that extends from start to finish, providing a backbone for the riper notes.
When our brain is struggling to separate all the elements, we call it a good wine. Does good wine need points? We think a good nose, pleasant flavor, and complex aftertaste is quite enough for a warm summer evening.