Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir 2018

Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir 2018New oak Dark cherry & plum Toasted almond Refreshing acidity "One of the most charming and gentle expressions of Martinborough Pinot Noir you'll find, with its depth of fruit akin to holding a heavy ball in the palm of your hand, such is its midpalate weight. There's an abundance of tannins, but they are as resolved as tannins get, lightly coating the palate. The acidity provides freshness and precision, giving the wine length and shape. A very

• New oak
• Dark cherry & plum
• Toasted almond
• Refreshing acidity

"One of the most charming and gentle expressions of Martinborough Pinot Noir you'll find, with its depth of fruit akin to holding a heavy ball in the palm of your hand, such is its midpalate weight. There's an abundance of tannins, but they are as resolved as tannins get, lightly coating the palate. The acidity provides freshness and precision, giving the wine length and shape. A very complete wine. Drink 2021 - 30" Rebecca Gibb, Master of Wine, Vinous

"Bright, high-energy and slightly edgy pinot noir with dark cherry, violet, raspberry, fresh herb, anise and spice flavours. A firmly-structured red with a backbone of peppery tannins that are locking in flavour at this early stage but suggest a promising future" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, May 2020

"Smoky, savoury, lots of pure red berry fruits aromas, clove and baking spices, roses and silty soil scents; complex. On the palate - flavours of plums and raspberry, macerated cherry and roses. Layers of new oak and baking spices begin to weave through the palate with medium+ chalky textured tannins, medium+ acidity and a youthful core of energy. Well made, classic Dry River, very youthful and quite complex, lengthy detailed finish, a delight to taste. Decant for service or wait till 2022 and through 2026+ to enjoy at its best" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, May 2020

There is a light charred oak note present, easily confused with toasted almonds.  Flowery scents like cherry blossom, violets and Christmas lilies are combined with plums, boysenberry and liquorice.  Immediately the nose reveals this to be a serious wine: very coherent with rapidly expanding boundaries bringing aromatic volume. The palate, too, has an escalating horizon and an inflating edge; it's simply delicious, with well-rounded tannins.  Initially there is a juicy, plush elegance, with the tannins claiming a more authoritative and luxurious presence, showing off its class and flamboyance.  The mid-palate brings the wine back to earth with a grounding acidity that reigns the wine in again without overpowering the fruit weight.  It is just enough to bring life again to the floral and lighter fruit aromatics, to highlight the central core and to show the length and smooth finish on the back palate.  This is a thought-provoking wine that occupies all spaces and has aroused our excitement tremendously.

The 2018 was recorded as one of the warmest on record, very much like the 1998, which is now praised as a high-quality vintage. We experienced a humid January and early February, with warm nights. With this in mind we decided to commence picking early, with the Pinot Noir all picked within 6 days. The early harvest prevented loss of acidity and too overt and dark character; in other words, we were able to maintain fresh and pretty characters. Like all our other 2018 wines, the vintage brought warmth, generosity and stamina.