Wine

99 Points – Bob Campbell

Ripe, dense and fairly deep-coloured Pinot Noir with dark-fleshed plum, dark cherry, violet and liquorice flavours plus a hint of rhubarb on the aroma. Clearly a very complex wine that won’t reveal its full potential for a few years yet. I particularly like the wine’s silken texture and almost chewy body. It must surely rate as one of Dry River’s best ever Pinot Noir vintages.

96 Points – Bob Campbell

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.

17.5 Points – Julia Harding (jancisrobinson.com)

A little darker than the 2008. More fragrant as well as more savoury. Oak spice a little more evident than on the 2008 though still subtle. So fresh and lively on the palate. Juicy red fruit but not at all bumptious. Silky though rich and long.

95 Points – Bob Campbell

Quite a tight and tannic Pinot Noir that appears a little closed at this youthful stage. Ripe and reasonably dense plum and dark cherry flavours with hints of spice. I can say with confidence that the wine will age well although it is hard to judge right now.

93 Points – Bob Campbell

Fine and slightly edgy Pinot Noir with plum, red cherry, spice and dried herb flavours. Less robust and perhaps more varietal than usual. The wine has a good structure of fine tannins and acidity that suggest good cellaring potential.

95 Points – Bob Campbell

Rich, ripe Viognier with orange blossom, apricot, wildflowers and Oriental spices. Big, concentrated and powerful wine with mouth-filling flavours and an almost chewy texture. High alcohol of 14.5% heightens the sense of voluptuousness and adds warmth to the lengthy finish. The wine really evolved as it sat in the glass and will certainly benefit from decanting.

95 Points – Bob Campbell

Unusually rich, fleshy Chardonnay in a mouth-filling and accessible style that makes a change from the rather more steely wine I expect under this label. Quite oaky with ginger, ripe peach, tree fruits and a hint of honey. A real surprise.

95 Points – Bob Campbell

Dense, vibrant and youthful Syrah with raspberry, black pepper, violet, leather and cigar box flavours. Powerful and slightly edgy wine with a structure of fine tannins and gently tangy acidity. Will age well.

17.5 Points – Jancis Robinson 

92 Points – Bob Campbell

Dense Syrah with sweet fruit supported by firm tannins and a range of flavours from wild herb, floral and spice to red and dark berry. Quite peppery with white, black and some green pepper influence. A tad raw, certainly complex and with clear celling potential.