2021 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Full screwcapped bottle 1,304 g. Seems a bit sweeter than some earlier vintages. Very full-on Marlborough – pungent and somehow sweet lime sherbet. More Hollywood than artisan. This surprises me since I'm told 2021 was a great vintage, but I'm missing subtlety at this stage. Not quite appetising enough. Have to admit, I'm a bit disappointed by this. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Unlike most Marlborough Sauvignons, the 2021 Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc is cropped low and hand-harvested in a bid to increase concentration and restraint, respectively. This is a Scrappy Doo of a wine with its youthful “lemme at 'em” vivacity. It has masses of dissolved CO2, clearly visible on pouring, which provides a slight crackle in the mouth. The wine is citrus-driven, with lemon and lime meeting pineapple and more subtle details of jasmine, green herbs and flint. The finish is powerful and intense, potentially due to the naturally low yields of 2021 adding that extra punch. I'd like to leave this another six months to allow Scrappy Doo to calm down, although I suspect it'll be put on wine lists and sold before then.