2020 Dry River Pinot Noir

The 2020 Dry River Pinot Noir is the pinnacle of Martinborough winemaking, standing as one of New Zealand’s most sought-after Pinot Noirs. Crafted from vines planted by Neil and Dawn McCallum in 1979 on the now-iconic gravelly soils of the Martinborough Terrace. The McCallums had a vision: to produce wines that capture the unique terroir of the region, and more than four decades later, that dream is still being realised with breathtaking precision.

98 points
"Winemaker Wilco describes 2020 as a great vintage. The wine certainly endorses his enthusiasm...A very serious pinot noir. Deserves to be aerated, especially in its youth."
- Bob Campbell MW (The Real Review)

Under the stewardship of winemaker Wilco Lam, the 2020 vintage represents an exceptional year for Dry River. In fact, Bob Campbell MW awarded this wine a stunning 98 points, highlighting the brilliance of both the season and the winemaking team’s craft. Grown biodynamically, the wine reflects the ethos of sustainability and respect for the land that has always been at Dry River’s core.

This Pinot is not for the impatient. It’s a wine built to age, with layers of dark cherry, wild herbs, and earthy complexity revealing themselves slowly. The fruit is concentrated but elegant, underpinned by fine tannins and a vibrant, refreshing acidity that hints at a long life ahead in the cellar.

96 points
"A powerful and seductive bouquet with a core of pinosity then aromas of dark red berries, mineral soil, a fine savoury, dried herb quality and youthful energy... A lovely wine that should be locked away in your cellar till 2024 then taste again."
- Douglas Cameron MS

The 2020 harvest, marked by the global turmoil of COVID-19, required resilience and determination, with the entire picking done by Dry River’s small, dedicated team. And yet, the vintage emerged unscathed—cool spring, warm summer, and just the right amount of rain—resulting in a stellar year that will be remembered not only for its challenges but for producing some of the finest wines in Martinborough's history.

This wine is a perfect reflection of its place and time, one to savour now with air or lay down for future enjoyment, as it promises to evolve beautifully over the next decade or more.

95+ points
"Beautiful wine. Likely will rate higher again with a few more years under its belt, but touch and go for 96 points now, I reckon."
- Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)