Dry River Pinot Noir (2024)

The world famous Dry River are one of the pioneers of the New Zealand wine scene and quite rightly sit at the big boys table of New Zealand fine wine names.

Named after a historic sheep station a few kilometres down the road, Dry River was established in 1979 by visionaries Doctor Neil and Dawn McCallum. These guys were well ahead of the game when they planted their first vines on what is now known as the Martinborough Terraces. It’s a site known for its free draining gravels, cool maritime climate and (thanks to a bit of inside info from soil scientist and friend Dr Derek Milne) a 30 year record for the lowest rainfall in the North Island.

In 2003, Neil sold the winery to seriously wealthy Wall Street billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist Julian Robertson (according to Neil, ‘the guy who invented the hedge fund’ and one of the world’s super rich!). The aim remains the same though – to produce world class wines that age beautifully.

We’re super stoked to be able to land some extremely limited stocks of their 2024 Dry River Pinot Noir. It’s a special release – as winemaker Benjamin McNab said “A season of near perfection, 2024 was a vintage as close to flawless as I’ve encountered.”

Scoring 96/100 from Master of Wine Stephen Wong who said “Ripe, complex and savoury pinot noir with black cherry, raspberry, violet, cracked pepper, olive, sweet spice and warm earthy minerality carefully contained within a softening blanket of vanilla pod and cinnamon. The palate is velvet in texture with a surprisingly bright acidity which lifts the wine and brings all of its myriad flavours into focus. The elegant flow is underpinned by considerable energy which drives right to the very long, grainy and floral finish. Poised and detailed with notable finesse, although it is no more than medium-bodied, there is clearly power here which will reward patience.”

James Suckling gave it 95/100 and said “Spice, earth, violet, and strawberry aromas and flavors with hints of caramel and leaves. So enticing. It’s medium-bodied with richness and freshness at the same time. Nice toastiness at the end. Better in 2027, but already delicious. Drink or hold.”

One of New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noirs, without a doubt. All bottles individually numbered, drink now to 2040.