5 stars and 95 points for Bob Campbell:
Bright, fresh wine with typical varietal/regional characters including capsicum, gooseberry, lemongrass and passionfruit. Appealing purity with a perfect sweet/sour balance. A pleasure to taste."
Also 5 stars for Michael Cooper:
Certified organic, this classic wine offers a clear style contrast to Section 94, Dog Point's complex, barrel-aged Sauvignon Blanc (see the Branded and Other White Wines section). Estate-grown at several vineyards in the Wairau Valley, it is hand-harvested, fermented and lees-aged in stainless steel tanks, but handled without oak. The thought-provoking 2023 vintage is arguably the best yet. Pale lemon/green, it is full-bodied and vigorous, with penetrating, ripe, passionfruit/lime flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a dry, long finish. Still unfolding, it should break into full stride mid-2024+."
19/20 for Joelle Thomson:
"This is one of the best Sauvignon Blancs made in New Zealand each year. It has distinctive complex aromas, a medium body and fabulous purity of flavour with tangy lemon adding to the tropical flavours we all know and love in Sauvignon. This wine has more weight, depth, and length than most Sauvignon Blancs and over-delivers, big time."
Best Dog Ridge Sauvignon ever (and one of the best ever from New Zealand) for Vinous:
Initially the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc needs a few moments to get itself together – much like we all do after waking up from our slumber. It wears a rather reductive overcoat, but under that flintiness you find concentrated, pure fruit flavors. It’s light in body but dense in concentration thanks to low yields, displaying both focus and punch. It's almost silvery in color and restrained thanks to hand-picking, leading to pure grapefruit and passion fruit flavors alongside a hint of nectarine. The finish is long, precise and sinewy.
Outstanding ratings from Suckling, the Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator, too. Indeed, from everybody!
