Ivan Sutherland et James Healy, l’ancien viticulteur en chef (Sutherland) et œnologue (Healy) du célèbre domaine Cloudy Bay, à Marlborough, sont deux des viticulteurs les plus influents de la Nouvelle-Zélande. De pair avec le légendaire vigneron Kevin Judd, ils ont permis à Cloudy Bay de s’imposer en tant qu’icône du Nouveau Monde et le domaine produisait l’un des vins les plus en vogue pendant les années 1990. Lorsque Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy a fait l’acquisition de Cloudy Bay, Sutherland et Healy ont décidé de partir afin de fonder Dog Point. Issus des magnifiques vignobles plantés dans les années 1970 et 1980 qui fournissaient anciennement les raisins pour Cloudy Bay, les vins de Dog Point figurent parmi les vins plus raffinés de la Nouvelle-Zélande. Ils combinent sans contredit la vitalité de Nouveau Monde et la minéralité de l’Ancien Monde. La viticulture est impeccable, les raisins sont récoltés à la main et la vinification s’effectue selon des techniques non interventionnistes. Les vins de Dog Point représentent la fine fleur de Marlborough. Ils sont magnifiquement équilibrés et complexes et offrent un rapport qualité-prix vraiment extraordinaire.

Évaluations pour ce domaine

Wine Advocate

"...after the first anticipated releases from these ex Cloudy Bay, etc. stalwarts, it’s now hard to imagine Marlborough’s complex jigsaw puzzle of players complete without this dynamic duo that is Dog Point. Emphasis on the vineyards, proponents of cork for all but their Sauvignon and use of indigenous yeast aren’t the only things that define their edges – the wines are simply superb."

Octobre 2010

Wine Advocate

After more than ten vintages under their own label, it almost seems silly to mention that owners Ivan Sutherland and James Healy worked together at Cloudy Bay, but that's where their journey started, as viticulturist and winemaker, respectively. Sourcing fruit from the Sutherland family's expansive vineyard holdings along the southern edge of the Wairau Valley, the two continue to turn out exemplary Marlborough wines.

Février 2018

Vinous

Dog Point makes pure, low-yielding Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its organic vineyards in Marlborough. It also produces a funky, cloudy, barrel-fermented Sauvignon Blanc, Section 94, which treads a very fine line, verging on faulty. Interestingly, the estate has implemented a new policy on when to release this wine to give it time to integrate. The 2018 is different from previous vintages, with less reduction (perhaps all the rain of the vintage washed off the sulfur), but it also helped by the decision to hold back the wine for six to seven years, which is the goal for this cuvée going forward. It feels like Section 94's promise is finally materializing after years of wondering who on earth found pleasure in such funk. The latest Sauvignon Blanc, the 2023, shows that lower yields and hand-harvesting have a distinct effect on reducing thiols. After being initially reductive, it reveals pure fruit and fine texture. The 2021 Chardonnay remains a little sweet in its fruit profile, but it’s not short on power and will be one for the long haul. There’s much to like in this Chardonnay. There’s no doubt Dog Point is constantly refining their wines, and that’s really exciting to follow.

Rebecca Gibb MW, Avril 2024