A beautifully layered and expressive Pinot Noir, the 2020 Dry River offers notes of dark cherry, sage, cedar, and umami spice with a floral lift. Silky yet structured, it reflects the unique clay soils of Martinborough with depth and elegance. Crafted using traditional techniques and whole-bunch fermentation, this is a Pinot of precision and personality with 15+ years of cellaring potential.

Dryriver.co.nz

Botanical notes, blood, umami, and hints of brown sugar and bran. With time, the young oak will integrate seamlessly, unveiling layers of cedar-like Canadian maple, savory tobacco, walnut oil, and sage leaf. A spice box of depth and complexity awaits, echoing the essence of our earlier wines. The texture recalls our clay soils; while the minerality from stones may be subtle, it frames the wine’s length and serves as the skeleton beneath the fruit. There’s a grunt of dehydrated zest and a flourish of blossom flowers. Picture it in shades of blue rather than red—absolutely gorgeous.

Winemaking: Where to begin this tale? It’s a harmonious blend of science and creativity. Special acknowledgement goes to our Rotator tank (Freddie)—a true blessing, and a historic piece of equipment brought back to life at Dry River. The use of aldehyde was a stroke of brilliance, imparting ripe season character despite the season’s cooler challenges. A clever trick for the future. This wine harkens back to the old-school ‘90s winemaking era, before the craft became too fashionable and clouded by fleeting trends. Tradition triumphs here, with science serving to refine and elevate. 

Recommended cellaring: This Pinot Noir will evolve over the next 15 years. We recommend holding for at least 3 years to allow the wine to transition from its juvenile stage before you begin to track its evolution in your cellar.