2023 Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir

95 Points Parker's Wine Advocate
In stock
A Pinot Noir of huge depth and complexity from older vines (20+ years) producing extremely low yields. The sheer fruit depth is layered with earthy herbs and toasty spice, which opens up with air and benefits from development in bottle. An iconic Pinot with concentration and authenticity that may command twice this price one day. Collect!
$117.00 in mixed 6+ or $130.00 per bottle

Grape

Pinot Noir

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

95+/100 RobertParker.com, Erin Larkin

"The 2023 Pinot Noir is light in the glass but still sort of bloody, with garden roses and iodine, crushed shells, dried herbs, some woodsy spice and fennel seeds. In the mouth, the wine is sweetly fruited, with a gorgeous display of pomegranate and scraped vanilla pod, cranberry and cherry. It's an utter delight to drink; it is light in weight but full throttle in flavor. Highly recommended. 13% alcohol, sealed under Diam." Drink 2024 - 2043

95/100 Stephen Wong MW

"Light ruby. After some initial woodiness on the nose, it settles into an ethereal, sweet bouquet of wild berry, dried flowers, rosehip and hibiscus, weaving through subtle spice and minerality.The palate flows outwards elegantly towards the delicately floral finish with blood orange and a sweet earthiness. Not a blockbuster, this mid-weight pinot noir has perfume, finesse, a certain Burgundian transparency and finesse 31 Jan 2025 2025–2040" Drink 2025 – 2040

Variety Pinot Noir
Region Martinborough
Closure Cork
Volume 750ml
Alcohol 13.00%
Maturity 2024 - 2043

This Wine Goes Well With

with GAME
with LAMB
with PORK

Taste

4

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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.