Dry River
Bel & Brio, Barangaroo
Tasted July 18, 2018 by chatters with 131 views
Introduction
sit down supper at Bel and Brio with a selection of wines from Dry River with Jakob the winemaker
Flight 1 - Bracket one - whites (3 notes)
the whites were served a little cold so my clammy mitts were applied to good effect. The Gewurz was heads and heels above the other two - very nicely put together and fresh without being unripe…
White
2016 Dry River Riesling Craighall
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
medium minus intensity aromas of kerosene, a little crushed green apple, lemon and lime. A little citrus lemon and lime married to sharp acidity, soft front of mouth burr but very much a linear/front to back of mouth wine.
White
2015 Dry River Gewürztraminer Amaranth
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Lychee, rose petal, a little additional floral notes, exceedingly pretty nose…It's juicy and broad across the mid palate, lychee dominates with rose water and a smidge of peppery spice. There is a hint of bitterness on the finish but it's muted and hidden, very good indeed.
White
2015 Dry River Chardonnay
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Medium minus intensity aromas of fresh peach and slight white fig, little cedar and butter. More of the same on the palate, fleshy and juicy acidity, travels long but quite simple with similar fruit.
Flight 2 - Bracket two - reds (5 notes)
the 2015 Pinot was quite roided but the winemaker stated this was a reflection of the vintage rather than a wine making choice…The Syrah's were good - the 9 & 11 makes me want to get the 8 & 10 out of the cellar and have a taste…
Red
2015 Dry River Pinot Noir
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Very slightly jubey blackberry and sweet spice, a little caramel oak, slightly ashy stalks. Pretty, jubey, juicy, more savoury here with the stalks more evident. Blackberry fruit with slightly gritty tannins that are softly drying on the mid palate. It's quite broad. Pretty good in a kind of worked way.
Red
2011 Dry River Pinot Noir
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Medium minus intensity aromas of blackberry and a little chocolate, sweet spice, caramel and a little subdued bonfire ash. More fruit sweet than the 2015 but also more subdued and reigned in, slightly less acidity, travels long, very soft, a little liquorice here, talc textured tannins. Hmm
Red
2013 Dry River Syrah Lovat Vineyard
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Black and green peppercorn, blackberry, savoury spice, very slight ash, a little leather, otuches of black tea. Juicy and wet, muted blackberry fruit, silky, slightly drying tannins. Hmm.
Red
2011 Dry River Syrah Lovat Vineyard
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Slightly sour blackberry over green and black peppercorns, a little plain coffee. Juicy, fleshy, tight, but not drying, tannins. Lightweight wild blackberry, long. Nice.
Red
2009 Dry River Syrah Lovat Vineyard
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Blackberry, black pepper, saddle leather, bacon fat, slightly dusty notes. Juicy, tightly tannic though silky textured and quite drying. Blackberry and peppercorns. Lovely.
Closing
I still find the Syrah's are the best bang for buck from these guys. The two Pinot's were good but don't quite justify the cost (AUD127 & 122 respectively). And the Gewurz was very good as well.
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