Dry River Pinot Noir 2010

Score:96

Intense and powerful wine with focused varietal flavours including Black Doris plum, anise/Oriental spices, dark chocolate, liquorice and floral/violets. Beautifully textured Pinot Noir with a very lengthy finish. Terrific Pinot Noir from one of the country’s leading producers.

Bob Campbell

Read our Q&A with Wilco Lam of Dry River Wines

At the Southern tip of the North Island and a sub-region of Wairarapa is Martinborough. Known for it’s boutique style of winery, Martinborough’s production is dominated by Pinot Noir characterised by its balance between elegance and intensity, evident in the wines of Devotus and Leung Estate. As well as Pinot Noir, plantings of several other varieties that reach their full potential in Martinborough’s climate are also found including Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Viognier and Syrah, producers like Dry River are a great example of the quality these varieties can reach. Martinborough has a semi-maritime climate with coastal breezes coming from the east and shelter within the rain shadow of the Tararua Ranges resulting in a cool, dry climate.