Dry River Pinot Noir 2019

Dry River was one of the first wineries in Martinborough, in the Wairarapa region at the southern end of New Zealand's North Island, founded in 1979 by Derek Milne and Dawn McCallum. This Pinot Noir draws on three plots with vines over twenty years old, planted on arid, gravelly and well drained soils. Those free draining gravels are central to the style. They hold little water, which stresses the vines and keeps yields low, concentrating the fruit and giving the wine its depth. Martinborough's dry, sunny days and cool nights give a long ripening season that lets Pinot Noir build flavour while keeping the bright acidity that defines the grape. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds gentle spice without burying the fruit. At 12.5 percent the wine is restrained and savoury. It shows a dark hue with a subtle, layered nose. Red and black cherry, plum and currant lead, over baking spice, dried herbs and a smoky, earthy note. The palate is smooth and fresh, with fine tannin, lively acidity and a long savoury finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees.