Martinborough Pinot Noir

Brief notes. Barb said sour cherry. My initial impressions - dried herbs, dried red cherry and black plum. Quite a big Pinot Noir. One could say a Shiraz drinkers Pinot, but it’s better than that and gives the wrong connotation. Have my next one in late 2025. As I have said in prior notes it lacks nuance.

The colour is a quite pale Ruby. Red fruited (cherry) aromatics with Sous Bois. Light to medium bodied but with M plus intensity. As Bob Campbell MW said this wine has good vinosity (or Pinosity if you prefer). Pinots like this and Ata Rangi, both from Martinborough , challenge the Pinot dominance of Central Otago and Canterbury in New Zealand.

Strong red florals and fading (compared to the previous tasting) yet noticeable oak. Also whole bunch influence. Tastes a bit bunchy. A little coarse on the medium plus bodied palate. Dark fruits - plum and cherry. Finishes with silky tannins which redeems the wine somewhat. A Shiraz drinkers Pinot with a twist - not very Burgundian. Amazingly Bob Campbell MW gave this wine 99 points in January 2015.

Colour of light to mid Ruby with a tawny rim - almost transparent. Red fruited aromatics of cherry and strawberry with a little pepper and whole bunch notes. Next day a jubey note on the palate amongst the pastel red fruits. M- acid and tannins. Martinborough is great for Pinot Noir. Dry River has some famous neighbours like Ata Rangi and Escarpment.

Terrific balance. Nice structure and wanted air. Super tasty but I can’t justify the price.

Very dense crimson/Ruby in colour. A rich full bodied Pinot Noir - as I’ve written in previous Dry River PN tastings - a Shiraz drinkers Pinot. My problem with Dry River PNs has always been the density and lack of nuance even when you cellar them for a long time. I much preferred the 2013 Tolpuddle PN the previous night.

Rich crimson in colour. Muted on the nose and the palate. Very self contained and latent with that solid core promising much. Will develop into the stewed fruits/rhubarb genre I feel. Hopefully with age it will chip bits away from that core to add complexity. Very solid at the moment. 90 now - with potential for 94 points. Some critics state that Dry River’s Pinot Noir is an excellent dry red but is not varietal. I tend to fall into that camp.

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.

Mid to deep Crimson in colour. Fairly contained nose - hints of raspberry, violets and a peppery note reflecting some whole bunch in the ferment. Palate is also latent showing much promise - still with raspberry notes, red fruits and plum. I have had this “latent “ experience with Dry River Pinot Noirs before which is at odds with the pros drinking Windows. This is my first of six and will have the next in 2023. Tempted to say a Shiraz drinkers Pinot but it’s better than that.

This is some #smoothcriminal type of #pinot #pinotnoir very age worthy and #cellar ageable. It is expensive but I feel it is a sure bet. #martinborough #newzealand