2011 Dry River Pinot Noir, Martinborough

Very dark, deep ruby-red with a dark heart, a little lighter on the rim. This has a full, open nose of dark red berry fruit, quite fulsome, rounded and voluminous. Soft layers of plum and subtle herb detail, showing balance and integration, already coming together. Medium-full bodied, full, round and more up-front, with sweet, dark red berry fruits lifted with florals, a little plum, the textures softening, but still with plenty of fruit weight and extract, plenty of structure and grip too. The acidity soft, and the flavours and mouthfeel recede a little on the finish. Ripe, rich, upfront, and with layers of herb and savoury detail, and now very accessible. 

This is an elegant and refined Pinot Noir with harmony and class. Serve with poultry, pork and veal, and with semi-hard cheeses over the next 4-5+ years. Clones 5, 10/5 and some Dijon clones from the ‘Dry River Estate’, ‘Craighall’ and ‘Lovat’ sites, with whole bunch inclusion from 0-40%, averaging 20% fermented to 13.1% alc., the wine aged 12 months in 20% new oak, of which 75% was in 300 L and 350 L hogsheads. 

ntense and powerful Pinot Noir with ripe cherry, plum, floral and spice flavours. A taut and complex wine that promises to age extremely well. Very pure and very varietal. This is a seriously good Pinot Noir that needs time to demonstrate its true potential 20/1/2013