Meredith Moody

9.0

The lemonade of wines! I am a big sauvignon blanc fan, but my parents never really drink ones from New Zealand, and this made me wish I had known about it sooner. So refreshing and almost makes you pucker with how tart it is. This wine begs to be drank by the pool. Grapefruit forward, but had a grassy and herbal note that kept it grounded. Clean, acidic and crisp. I would serve this colder than class has taught me to because it is a summer delight. — a month ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Enjoyed at our friend’s on the Big Island for NYE dinner. Dark and opaque. Rich in the mouth. Notes of black fruit, slate stone, some menthol and some five spice. In a good window. — 3 years ago

Scott Spitzer

9.3

Tons of big, bright passionfruit aromas with hints of fresh-squeezed lemon. Perky, bright acidity. Very nice. — 5 years ago

Lawrence Bernstein

8.9

12/25 wine was nicely resolved after 15 years. Big, rich, dark wine. 89 — 5 months ago

Jonathan Wall

9.3

Big ratings on this… though I found it a bit hot and acidic day one. Day two however was a dream… soft yet deep. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A cellar release from Dry River I bought a few years ago. Mid to deep crimson with a hint of tawniness. Great intensity - ripe strawberry - liquorice notes - savoury and sweet at the same time. A strange thing to say but it doesn’t scream Pinot Noir. Grainy tannins. Similar experience as with previous Dry River Pinots to be robust, muscular and contained. Following day big and savoury - I stand by yesterday’s note. A great drink but lacks Pinosity. At least Bob Campbell MW liked it giving it 99 points. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Generally regarded as New Zealand’s best expression of a left bank Bordeaux blend. This is a dense Ruby red in colour. Aromas of cedar, cassis, mint, leafy and a menthol note - generally classic left bank descriptors. Quite balanced - a medium plus weight palate - medium tannins and acid. Still a good future into the late 20’s or early 2030s. Sam Kim, who is a NZ wine taster and commentator described this wine on release as the greatest wine ever released in New Zealand which was a big call at the time. Bob Campbell MW said “Coleraine doesn’t get much better than this. “ — 6 years ago

Austin Moberg

9.3

Delicious super rich and creamy loaded with dark chocolate, toffee, coffee, and some raisin. Big fan of these after today wanting to try their unique releases now. — a year ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Red and black fruits - cherry. Generally muted on the nose, even the following day. A big Pinot on the palate - it needed to be with curried prawns with plenty of heat. The following day similar notes - a good accompaniment to strong flavoured foods. Medium + savoury notes on the palate , yet to fully blossom, with fine Sandy tannins. A couple more years in the cellar would be beneficial. 99 points from Kiwi wine scribe, Bob Campbell MW. — 3 years ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Still a bit surly but massive potential. A big and serious nose of reductive smoke, apple, cut grass, and lemon. This is a full bodied powerful wine but there is still a feeling that there is more to come once this properly unfurls. Sour apple, mealy bread, wrapped in toffee. Creamy, but with a solid steak of sour acidity. Amazing length. True GC structure but 5+ years to truly express itself. — 4 years ago