November 2023 Releases: Dog Point Vineyard 2020 Pinot Noir $59 & Catalina Sounds The Sound Of White 2021 Pinot Noir $50

Dog Point Vineyard 2020 Pinot Noir $59

Vineyard

Location: Marlborough home vineyards, Settlement and Yarrum, primarily on hill slopes.

Viticulture: 6.7 tonnes/hectare. Vines are 20 years old on average. Some plantings date back to 1983.
Harvested 10th-30th March 2020
Clones: 62% Dijon Clones (667, 777, 115, 828, 943), 21% UCD5, 9% AM10/5, 8% Abel.
Soil: Clay loams

Vintage
A warm growing season with very dry conditions between January and April with only 45mm falling (less than
30% of the average). A season which will be remembered for other reasons however, with a global pandemic
affecting staffing movements and logistics but one where calm decision making and patience resulted in perfect
ripening conditions, and a very rewarding season. One of the best the region has experienced in recent years.

Wine

Winemaking: Hand picked and chilled overnight prior to handsorting. 70% destemmed and 30%
whole bunches included. Fermented in small stainless open top fermenters with 100%
indigenous yeasts over a period of 3 weeks prior to pressing into French oak barrels for
eighteen months (30% new).

Colour: Deep ruby

Aroma: Dark plum and baking spices are pronounced on this aromatic and alluring Pinot Noir.
Heady floral perfume of violets and rose add a complexing dimension.

Palate: Bright and pure dark berries and plums characteristic of the Southern Valleys sub region are evident. There is an opulent fruit profile with a fine velvet texture from fine boned tannins.
The fruit is framed by judicious French oak adding spice and a tightly grained tannin profile.

Cellaring: Drinks beautifully now or can be cellared for 10+ years.

Technical: Alcohol13.5%, Acidity 5.1g/l, pH 3.69

Catalina Sounds Sound of White 2021 Pinot Noir $50

W I N E M A K E R C O M M E N T S
The 2021 vintage certainly had its nuances compared
to vintages over the last decade. Early spring frosts,
combined with cool wet weather during flowering had a
significant impact across Marlborough, resulting in yields
being lower than average across the region. Summer
turned out dry and warm, and with low-yields an early
harvest was upon us; starting 10 days earlier than 2020.
Fruit quality was exceptional this year and the wines
certainly reflect this with strong vintage expression.
The fruit for the 2021 Sound of White Pinot Noir is
sourced exclusively from our Sound of White vineyard.
The majority of fruit is from our oldest vines, on a clay
rich hillside and selected parcels from our youngest
Pinot Noir vines.
The aromatics are layered with dark fruit and spices
with a slight lift from whole bunches in the ferment.
The palate is supple with dense ripe fruit and a youthful
backbone to support ageing. A stunning wine that will
reward time in the cellar. Matt Ward
G E O G R A P H I C A L I N D I C AT I O N
Sound of White Vineyard, Waihopai Valley, Marlborough.
V I N E YA R D
The vast majority of fruit for this wine comes from our
16-year-old mixed clone, north-facing hillside Pinot Noir
block. The block is suited for Pinot as it is drenched in
summer sun and rich in clay, producing a concentrated,
expressive and spicy Pinot Noir. A very small amount
of fruit was from young 5-year-old vines on the flat in A
Block, giving a lift of pretty red fruit to the wine

W I N E M A K I N G
My desire with the Sound of White range is to highlight
the vineyard, with very little influence from the
winemaker, aside from the harvest decision. The process
from here is very simple. Fruit was handpicked in two
passes from our hillside and then mostly destemmed
into small open top fermenters. A portion was made
with 30% whole bunches to provide aromatic lift and
give core tannin structure to the wine. All parcels were
fermented with indigenous yeast and left on skins for up
to seven days before running to French barriques, 30%
of which are brand new.
A N A LY S I S

Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.51
Acid: 5.8g/L

Sugar: Dry

C E L L A R I N G P O T E N T I A L
This wine, while drinking well in it’s youth, will greatly
reward time cellaring under the right conditions.
F O O D M AT C H
Game meats, mushroom & truffle dishes, prosciutto
(however you like it!)