Dry River
Martinborough Pinot Noir
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand
Dark crimson in colour. Red florals with earthy beetroot notes on a medium bodied palate with medium plus intensity. Still quite stern tannins but overall starting to break the confines of over extraction finally at 12 years of age. This is my last bottle and the best of 6 originally bought. Previous notes have said that this is a Shiraz drinkers Pinot and I still stick with that assessment. I believe Dry River are now making their Pinots less extracted and more approachable at a younger age. In summary this is excellent, it just needed time.
Dark crimson in colour. Red florals with earthy beetroot notes on a medium bodied palate with medium plus intensity. Still quite stern tannins but overall starting to break the confines of over extraction finally at 12 years of age. This is my last bottle and the best of 6 originally bought. Previous notes have said that this is a Shiraz drinkers Pinot and I still stick with that assessment. I believe Dry River are now making their Pinots less extracted and more approachable at a younger age. In summary this is excellent, it just needed time.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 20th, 2021Consistent notes with July 6 2019. Closed nose - on the palate not particularly Pinot Noir. Dense and blocky on the palate - square sided I said last time. Not sure if this needs more time or that’s how it is. Jancis’s window is to 2020. Maybe I will leave drinking the last one for another 2 to 3 years to see what happens. Overall disappointing for a $100 Pinot Noir from this quality producer. Had a stunning Pinot Gris from Dry River a few days ago.
Consistent notes with July 6 2019. Closed nose - on the palate not particularly Pinot Noir. Dense and blocky on the palate - square sided I said last time. Not sure if this needs more time or that’s how it is. Jancis’s window is to 2020. Maybe I will leave drinking the last one for another 2 to 3 years to see what happens. Overall disappointing for a $100 Pinot Noir from this quality producer. Had a stunning Pinot Gris from Dry River a few days ago.
1 person found it helpfulDec 20th, 2019Quite dark ruby in colour. Earthy aromas with morello cherries. On the palate still quite solid lacking nuance and complexity. I disagree with JRs drinking window to 2020. This was my 4th of 6 purchased and they have all been a bit 4 Square. I will leave the last 2 for a few years. After a couple of hours in the decanter more beetroot and root vegetable aromas. Not good value for money IMO at nearly $100.
Quite dark ruby in colour. Earthy aromas with morello cherries. On the palate still quite solid lacking nuance and complexity. I disagree with JRs drinking window to 2020. This was my 4th of 6 purchased and they have all been a bit 4 Square. I will leave the last 2 for a few years. After a couple of hours in the decanter more beetroot and root vegetable aromas. Not good value for money IMO at nearly $100.
1 person found it helpfulJul 5th, 2019Beautiful fragrant perfume with hints of violets like a Premier or Grand Cru from Vosne Romanee. Fantastic texture with supple tannins and earthy forest floor notes. One of those wines where you need to drink the first one at 10 years of age. I had my first of these almost 2 years ago and it was still closed with hints of what was to come. When it comes to New Zealand Pinots I prefer Martinborough in the North Island to Central Otago in the South. Canterbury also have some excellent producers in the South Island.
Beautiful fragrant perfume with hints of violets like a Premier or Grand Cru from Vosne Romanee. Fantastic texture with supple tannins and earthy forest floor notes. One of those wines where you need to drink the first one at 10 years of age. I had my first of these almost 2 years ago and it was still closed with hints of what was to come. When it comes to New Zealand Pinots I prefer Martinborough in the North Island to Central Otago in the South. Canterbury also have some excellent producers in the South Island.
1 person found it helpfulMar 24th, 2019Nose of beetroot and violets. Still latent, somewhat closed, still not revealing all of its charms. Ripe fruit, medium to full bodied, good concentration and supple tannins. An enjoyable wine but not overly "Pinot ". Very solid - needs more time.
Nose of beetroot and violets. Still latent, somewhat closed, still not revealing all of its charms. Ripe fruit, medium to full bodied, good concentration and supple tannins. An enjoyable wine but not overly "Pinot ". Very solid - needs more time.
1 person found it helpfulMay 11th, 2017Not as opulent as some Central Otago Pinots. This is from Martinborough. James Halliday who has had more Burgundies than most of us called this the "Pommard of New Zealand"! Notes of spice and rhubarb with excellent length. A top quality Pinot. Not cheap at $100+.
Not as opulent as some Central Otago Pinots. This is from Martinborough. James Halliday who has had more Burgundies than most of us called this the "Pommard of New Zealand"! Notes of spice and rhubarb with excellent length. A top quality Pinot. Not cheap at $100+.
1 person found it helpfulJul 31st, 2016Wow. Very interesting nose. Almost cotton candy, red fruit, bit of portyness on the nose. Palette is expressive and a bit raisiny but not sweet. Finish highlights red and black very ripe fruit. One of the more interesting Martinborough PNs I've had
Wow. Very interesting nose. Almost cotton candy, red fruit, bit of portyness on the nose. Palette is expressive and a bit raisiny but not sweet. Finish highlights red and black very ripe fruit. One of the more interesting Martinborough PNs I've had
1 person found it helpfulFeb 10th, 2016This precious gem began with floral dark fruit aromatics fine tannin fruit forward love and evolved within an hour to supple blackberry confection currant jam folded space to spice from Arakkis
This precious gem began with floral dark fruit aromatics fine tannin fruit forward love and evolved within an hour to supple blackberry confection currant jam folded space to spice from Arakkis
1 person found it helpfulMar 9th, 2015Last dinner with family before I fly back to the US. Peking duck dinner! This went so well with it. Rich and luxurious with lots of fruit. Elegant, not jammy
Last dinner with family before I fly back to the US. Peking duck dinner! This went so well with it. Rich and luxurious with lots of fruit. Elegant, not jammy
Apr 23rd, 2015