Dog Point’s 2022 Chardonnay is a benchmark example of Marlborough elegance and precision. Gently pressed and wild-yeast fermented in French oak (just 10% new), then aged on lees for 18 months, it opens with ripe citrus – lemon peel, tangerine and grapefruit – layered with mealy, savoury complexity, hints of almond meal, and a touch of smoky oak. The palate is focused yet textural, with crystalline citrus at its core, unfolding into oatmeal, hazelnut, and saline minerality. Vibrant acidity carries it through to a long, refined finish that speaks to both immediate appeal and cellaring potential.

The 2022 vintage has been widely praised, with James Suckling awarding 94 points for its “sliced cooked apples, pie crust, dried Meyer lemon and lemon curd” alongside hints of flint and balanced richness. The Real Review also scored it 94 points, highlighting its savoury reduction, mouth-filling hazelnut and grilled citrus flavours, and elegant acidity. Decanter noted its aromatic complexity with lemon meringue, white peach, sizzled butter, and toasted hazelnuts. This is a Chardonnay that effortlessly marries precision and depth – restrained yet generous, mineral-driven yet textured – and will reward enjoyment now or after years in the cellar.