Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

2023 Dry River Craighall Martinborough Riesling

James Suckling

In stock

A concentrated Riesling from a small block of old vines in the Craighall Vineyard. Rigorous hand harvesting in multiple passes has brought supreme quality and potential. A beautiful freshness runs through this delicately ripe wine, with tropical notes wrapped around bright citrus and minerals. Drink soon or cellar a good while, this wine is superb as usual from Dry River.

$49.99 in mixed 6+ or $55.99 per bottle

Overview

Grape

Riesling

Its Origins

Dry River took its simple but evocative name from an historic sheep station that used to exist a few kilometres away on the dry, wandering river plains between Martinborough and lake Wairarapa. Planted by the visionary Neil and Dawn McCallum in 1979 - a good few years ahead of ‘old hand’ Alan Limmer in Gimblett Gravels - Dry River were not only ahead of the curve but can these days speak meaningfully about the old vine presence and impact on the estate’s production. With an approach and culture that feels quite European, Dry River are interested in sustainability and minimal intervention - especially in the winery - but always with a reasoned eye for what is pragmatic and particular to their terroir. Eschewing the Kiwi obsession with varietal flavour-making and wines to drink now, Dry River focus their impressive resources on the simple but complex task of producing and preserving true physiological ripeness, in this way making wines of extreme quality and balance that are often approachable young but reach their true expression after some years in cellar.

What The Critics Say

97/100 James Suckling

"This is so serious, showing a depth and weight that give you such power, then a laser-guided structure that takes you long and far. Full and buttressed with flavor and acid. Serious riesling here. Drink now."

Winemaker notes on current 2023 vintage

"Just 9 rows of fruit. Our coldest terrace, with the stoniest soils. An electrifying expression of our Craighall site, delivering vibrant energy to the palate. Wine of the vintage? Perhaps. One to secure for the cellar, without question. Crunchy green apple, spring blossoms, powdered sugar, and alyssum drift from the glass, while rock melon and green olive captivates the senses. Lemon at its freshest, and fern leaf, edge in alongside the wet chalk minerality. Its phenolic structure is bold, balanced by just enough residual sugar to soften the impact. Yellow plum, white nectarine, and pumpkin seed add richness, with a saline finish reminiscent of a dip in the ocean. A wine of pure energy, destined to evolve beautifully over time. PH: 3.08 TA: 9.3g/l RS: 11.1g/l ALC: 12.0%"

97/100 Cameron Douglas MS (2021 vintage)

"Captivating, pure, ripe, compelling and complex. Flavours of lemon and green apple, kaffir lime leaf and elderflower. A distinctive mineral seam and natural fruit spice, honeysuckle and core of citrus and white fleshed fruit. An abundance of acidity contrast the core flavours, a hint of residual sweetness and complex flavours impact. Lengthy, a fantastic wine with best drinking from 2023 through 2040+."

Stats & Food Matching

Variety	Riesling
Region	Martinborough
Closure	Cork
Volume	750ml
Maturity	2024 - 2042

This Wine Goes Well With

Taste

Delivery & Returns

We deliver throughout New Zealand and to some locations overseas. Our deliveries are made by trusted third party carriers. For further details on prices and delivery options please go to DELIVERY INFORMATION section of our site.

If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.