Dry River Pinot Noir 2014
Region: Martinborough, New Zealand
Grape: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Practice: Sustainable
Culinary Suggestions: Herb-Crusted Lamb, Duck Confit, Porcini and Truffle Pasta
Alcohol: 13.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Overview
Dry River, one of New Zealand’s pioneering wineries, was founded in 1979 by Dr. Neil McCallum in Martinborough. Recognising the area’s potential for cool-climate viticulture, McCallum focused on producing high-quality, terroir-driven wines, making Dry River one of the first wineries to establish Martinborough as a premium wine region. From the beginning, the winery gained acclaim for its commitment to excellence and minimal-intervention approach, producing wines with remarkable depth, structure, and ageing potential.
Specialising in Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay, Dry River is known for its small-batch, intensely flavoured wines that express the unique soils and climate of Martinborough. McCallum’s meticulous attention to detail and innovative vineyard practices helped establish a reputation for Dry River wines as some of New Zealand’s finest. Today, under new ownership, Dry River continues to uphold its founder’s vision, producing wines that are celebrated for their complexity, elegance, and distinct Martinborough character.
The 2014 vintage was marked by steady growing conditions, resulting in a balanced wine with concentrated flavours and a signature depth reflective of Martinborough’s cool-climate profile. Hand-harvested and minimally handled, the grapes undergo whole-bunch fermentation and are aged in French oak, adding nuanced structure and a hint of spice while allowing the purity of the fruit to shine. The result is a Pinot Noir of exceptional finesse, with layered complexity and an earthy character that speaks to its origins. Dry River’s commitment to organic practices ensures that the wine remains a true reflection of the vineyard’s unique qualities and the Martinborough terroir.
Critic Reviews
95 points
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front September 2016
Wilco Lam is the chief winemaker and shifting the dial just a touch at Dry River. Dry River is firmly in the cult wine spectrum, even beyond the shores of Aotearoa. Known for wines of power and extract, this is no disappointment for those seeking full thrust of pinot noir, but there’s more than that here…
Huge perfume; bold in dark fruit, char, pepper, briar, more pepper dark cherry. So compelling. I love it. Palate is rippling with quiet power. Dark cherry juice, touch of the pickled cherry, pepper, really firm tannins, extreme length. It’s a wine that socks it to you but also has this elegance. A V12 under the hood of a Rolls Royce. It’s awesome!
Drink 2016 - 2030