2018 Section 94 Sauvignon Blanc
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The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Section 94 is starting to come into its own, displaying its concentration and structure. It's a sophisticated, serious style that doesn't speak of Sauvignon Blanc’s natural thiols but more of restrained fruit, winemaking-derived flavors and bottle age, creating complexity. You can expect subtle nectarine flavors, almond and lanolin development. It is focused, compact, structured and intense, like a dart that works its way through the wine's core. The 2018 is rather different from previous vintages with less reduction, but also the move to hold back the wine for 6-7 years (the goal for this cuvée going forward), has allowed it to develop and marry. It feels like Section 94's promise is finally materializing.
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Full screwcapped bottle 1,299 g. From a single-vineyard parcel within the Dog Point Vineyard, its low-cropped vines were planted in 1992. Fruit is hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented and aged in seasoned French oak barrels for 18 months. Bottled without fining. Dog Point's Sauvignon Blanc that is deliberated crafted to age. Pale greenish gold. Very smoky indeed – I should taste this blind with a Coche-Dury Aligoté! Although this has more fruit, almost rich fruit, on the mid palate. This is really long and interesting. Masses of acidity but so many more layers of flavour than a regular-issue Marlborough Sauvignon. Long and very rewarding. I would happily pay the £6 supplement over the regular 2023 Sauvignon Blanc for this. (JR)
Organic. All spontaneous fermentation… …and quite marked struck-match here – perhaps that’s why they released it after the 2019? Just the same structure as a fine white burgundy; it could make for some surprising and interesting comparisons blind? Very long. A thoroughly satisfying drink. (JR)
While I'm an unabashed fan of the style, Dog Point's 2018 Section 94 (100% Sauvignon Blanc, barrel fermented and matured in oak) comes across as a wan shadow of the best vintages. It hints at smoke and grilled citrus on the nose, but it lacks power, flavor and amplitude on the medium-bodied palate, finishing with spare white grapefruit notes. Like the 2018 Pinot Noir, it's still an attractive wine for current consumption, but it lacks the depth and concentration to age well beyond the next few years.