Dry River wines - help please, kiwis

[bacchaebabe]

I've somehow managed to get on the Dry River mailing list and just got my first order form. The whole thing reminds me a lot of Mount Mary and the late Dr John Middleton, particularly all the musings.

Anyhoo, I would like to buy a dozen. Considering it's going to cost $120 to get it over the ditch, I may as well get a full dozen to spread the cost. So what would you guys recommend to buy.

Here's the list (Prices NZ$):
08 Chardonnay $52
09 Lovat Gewurtztraminer $39
09 Craighall Riesling $44
07 Lovat Shiraz $$64
09 Viognier $42

In terms of my taste, I adore the sweeter style rieslings and aromatics so will definitely be getting some gewertz and riesling but wondering about the others. Isn't there usually a Pinot gris too or does this come out in another mailer? With stickies?

There's also an en primeur order for the 08 Pinot for $414 a six pack. Is this worth getting and how does it compare to other NZ pinots?

All information very gratefully accepted.

[Craig(NZ)]

Dry River is a great NZ winery and has a huge reputation. As such my comments here may seem harsh but I am comparing to other NZ wines considered in the top handful of their variety. I havent tried any of the new releases so these are general impressions over many vintages

Chardonnay - I wouldnt bother. Not a bad drop but I have handfuls of labels id rather have and most are cheaper

Gerwurztraminer - Some vintages a magical. Best in NZ in my opinion. Worth the dosh in context of NZ gewurz but there are alsacian examples that sure do compete. Rich opulent wines

Riesling - Good stuff. Ive not had too many vintages just because of price but it yum

Syrah - Im not even sure ive ever tasted it! Must have but if so only once or twice. No comment

Viognier - Do they amke it now???

Pinot Noir - Some vintages have been excellent. Loved the 06, 99, 96. Some are confusing. To me Dry River has never settled on a style. I don't buy it anymore. My cellared examples have never reached the heights of a good Ata rangi or Martinborough Reserve or Felton Road Block. To me a step below the best.

Pinot Gris - The best in NZ though they do vary a bit. Loved the 07.

Sauvignon Blanc - Wouldnt bother and its too expensive. Stay with Te Mata Cape Crest

What you buy would depend on budget but personally if an aussie in aussie id go 6gw, 4 riesling, 2 syrah

[Craig(NZ)]

Kris

Do they have an Auckland tasting advertised in the mailer??

Ive been along to a number of these over the last decade but not on mailing list naymore (I buy a few bottles here and there via retail now that its become easier to obtain and reasonable prices vs Mail order)

[bacchaebabe]

Thanks for that info Craig - all good advice. Understand the context of your comments completely so no worries there.

There's nothing on the order form or in the email about a tasting anywhere. The order form is available for download from the website if you want to check it out.

Might be worth calling them to find out for sure though.

[Bick]

Wow, I'm jealous of this. I got kicked off their mailing list for not buying. Whatever you want, order it immediately, or you'll likely not get it (you probably know that). Craig's knowledge of their wines is much better than mine, but the times I've had them (last went to their Auckland tasting in 07 I think), I've been very impressed by their aromatic whites and their pinot noir. I'd really spread the order to sample the range, and get 4 x Gewutz, 4 x riesl, 2 x syrah, 1 x chard and 1 x viognier.

[Craig(NZ)]

id only consider myself an 'expert' of sorts on the gw. Have been buying in numbers most vintages since the sublime 1996 where from memory it was $26 and I bought a retailers entire stock We have a solid tradition of opening a bottle of drgw every xmas eve. Goes down great with xmas fare

All the other wines of Dry River its more a case of tasting and drinking as the opportunity presents itself with the odd single bottle purchase here and there. Ive bought the Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Noir in the past but by no means every vintage

[jafa]

I have also long ago slipped off the mailing list. For several vintages I ordered wine, only to have the cheque returned.
Then I got a letter saying"not enough purchasing from you" goodbye!

Haven't tasted any in over 10 years. Reisling was a good buy. '94 fondly remembered still. Still have a few Gewurtz VT, '94 in cellar.
Haven't opened one for years, but last taste was very good.
FWIW a popular local vintage guide rates 08 whites from Wairarapa as best since 2000, and 08 reds as best year since 2003.
I'll be buying Ata Rangi 08 PN. Sorry cannot be more helpful.

cheers jafa

[bacchaebabe]

Thanks guys. I was going to go heavy on the Gewurtz and riesling but it's not a bad idea to sample the whole range as we see so little of it over here.

[Craig(NZ)]

FWIW a popular local vintage guide rates 08 whites from Wairarapa as best since 2000, and 08 reds as best year since 2003.

will be touring at the end of the year...yay...havent got to martinborough for 12 years!! Back then Dry River Pinot Noir 1996 was $36 a bottle and the cellar door open one day a year from memory - the day we were there

[Bick]

will be touring at the end of the year...yay...havent got to martinborough for 12 years!!

Ditto. I'll be passing through the wairarapa between xmas and new year - I might bump into you!

[Curt]

Craig / Bick - there is a Auckland tasting, this Sunday 2 - 5 at Old Govenment House.
Kris, I have been on the mailing list since 87/88 and was a huge fan of their wines but feel that in recent years they are not as special as they once were and also they have got very expensive ... stylistically they are quite subtle, ie "European" and older vintages have cellared better than almost all other NZ wines. I did not get the feeling from the newsletter that this release ( there is 2 releases a year ) contained anything special. That said the GW is normally always very very good, I normally like the Chardonnay ( lean & tight, & needs cellaring ), this is the 3rd release of Viognier and its interesting but I would buy the Virgilius in preference.
The Reisling is not made in the Spat style, more of an old fasioned NZ style but Fine / classey - again it has performed very well in the cellar. No experience with cellared examples of the Syrah, have some younger vintages but not convinced - tend to quite dark / tannic but lean ( NZ syrah remember). I am a big fan of the Pinot Noir .... hope that helps

[Craig(NZ)]

Craig / Bick - there is a Auckland tasting, this Sunday 2 - 5 at Old Govenment House.

damn, clashes with winenz

[Curt]

Jafa, I recently drank the last of my 90 Gerwtz VT ( in 750 , wax dipped) and it was a touch tired - seemed immortal when young and still strong appx a year ago so latest may have just been bottle variation ... but I would not wait too long before trying another of your 94s. Cheers, Curt

[rooman]

Earlier this week, I managed to visit Peregrine in Central Otago whilst staying in Queenstown. They also have some lovely aromatics well worth trying. What is interesting is that they keep a stock of their wine in a Sydney warehouse and will sell them to you at NZ prices without the $120 shipping cost, charging instead just local courir costs.

[Eurocentric]

I'm on the list.

Find the Gewurz too opulent and cloying generally.

Really like the pinot gris. Not sure I've had the riesling or chard.

Have enjoyed the syrah. Quite a meaty style.

And the pinot is quite big. Almost like a syrah! You can't lose on it though. If you don't like them, there would always be someone willing to relieve you of them.

[Craig(NZ)]

I rate the 96 DR gw as one of the best white wines ever made in NZ. It was simply stunning

Some vintages are very big and rich (especially the lovat) but as long as you know what you are getting and drink at a suitable occassion then its a super wine.

And the pinot is quite big. Almost like a syrah! You can't lose on it though. If you don't like them, there would always be someone willing to relieve you of them.

yip a lovely dry red...but not really the mould of pinot i enjoy. Of course it varies so much vintage to vintage its hard to generalise. 06 was super

Jafa, I recently drank the last of my 90 Gerwtz VT ( in 750 , wax dipped) and it was a touch tired - seemed immortal when young and still strong appx a year ago so latest may have just been bottle variation ... but I would not wait too long before trying another of your 94s. Cheers, Curt

I tend to drink them younger these days. 02 estate is my oldest. the bigger vintages go very ginger loaf when older which can be quite attractive but still i dont tend to risk as much anymore with cellaring

Funny its a vineyard that doesnt get much talk on forums. Quite unusual for its status. Perhaps it reflects availability of these wines - they are drunk seldom??

[jafa]

Curt -old govt house -next to Auckland Uni, right?
I might truck up and have a sample. Not going to clash with WineNZ cos I'm going on Monday

My 94 gwz is in 750's also. That's why it takes a bit of planning to open one, it's a lot to slurp up at a sitting. Might have to get a lump of fois gras and a wedge of decent blue cheese soon-ish. Fois gras usually gets dealt to with the '96 Vouvray in cellar, as the years go by, just grows and grows!

cheers jafa

EDIT I mean foie gras folks

[Curt]

Yes, Jaffa thats right ....

[SueNZ]

Kris- Like Craig, I also think the Gewurztraminer is sensational. However on opening the 2002 recently (well, within the past year) - on two separate occasions - one was clearly tired while the other was absolutely exquisite. in some vintages more than one GW is produced - an estate and an 'Amaranth'.

Dry River Wines are made to cellar and having been privileged to attend verticals of Pinot Noir, Syrah, GW and PG - they do cellar beautifully. The reds have structure and the whites have lusciousness.

Had the 2008 Pinot Gris the other night and couldn't believe the juiciness achieved from the 2008 vintage - but a wine not made for blind tasting. In a blind tasting of a dozen wines, mostly Pinot Gris, I picked it as Dry River because of its tight phenolic structure. It does take some time to open up - especially the aromatics but when it does open up it was definitely worth the wait. Phenolics in the young whites are a trait of Dry River wines.

I think the Rieslings are definitely the most ageworthy of the wines.

I'm going to try and juggle WineNZ and the Dry River tasting on Sunday - hopefully I get there to the latter before the doors are closed at OGH.

Cheers,
Sue

PS my favourite dish with Dry River Gewurztraminer is roasted Duck Leg in an orange sauce delicately infused with ginger. There used to be a BYO restaurant that we went to regularly (closed a few months ago) and I invariably ordered this, most often taking along a GW to match it - quite often Dry River. But looking through my archives I see I also matched the duck to the sensational Amaranth Pinot Noir 1999 - and it worked. Duck is an amazing versatile meat for wine matching in many respects.

PPS - Links to my verticals
http://www.wineoftheweek.com/tastings/0403dryriver.html - GW & Syrah
http://www.wineoftheweek.com/tastings/0407dryriver.html - PG & PN

[bacchaebabe]

Once again, thanks everyone - lots of valuable info.

Those verticals look like pretty amazing events Sue.

[Craig(NZ)]

in some vintages more than one GW is produced - an estate and an 'Amaranth'.

slight correction. its confusing i know

2 gewurztraminers have been made of late. 'Lovat Vineyard' (contract vineyard or recent purchase)?? 'and 'Dry River Estate' or what was called 'Martinborough Terrace' from memory in some vintages??. There is also one simply labelled 'Martinborough' from 2006 (was this a blend of vineyards??) and one in the past labelled 'Arapoff' eg in 2001 and 2002. Now im confusing myself!!! Anyone else care to clear this up??

Stylistically the Lovat is more opulent and the Estate more structured and measured. Bothe hedonistic though

'Amaranth' is simply a designation given to any Dry River wine considered extra worthy of extended cellar time. eg in 1998 there was a Craighall and Amaranth Riesling. In 1999 the Pinot Noir was designated Amaranth

[Craig(NZ)]

I might truck up and have a sample. Not going to clash with WineNZ cos I'm going on Monday

I believe in the seperation of church and state
I believe in the seperation of work and hobby

The line up didnt look good enough this year to burn a days annual leave so will cram as much as poss into 5 hours on sunday. Should be enough to keep seriously busy! 10th year in a row for me, can't break the tradition!

[SueNZ]

in some vintages more than one GW is produced - an estate and an 'Amaranth'.

slight correction. its confusing i know

2 gewurztraminers have been made of late. 'Lovat Vineyard' (contract vineyard or recent purchase)?? 'and 'Dry River Estate' or what was called 'Martinborough Terrace' from memory in some vintages??. There is also one simply labelled 'Martinborough' from 2006 (was this a blend of vineyards??) and one in the past labelled 'Arapoff' eg in 2001 and 2002. Now im confusing myself!!! Anyone else care to clear this up??

Stylistically the Lovat is more opulent and the Estate more structured and measured. Bothe hedonistic though

'Amaranth' is simply a designation given to any Dry River wine considered extra worthy of extended cellar time. eg in 1998 there was a Craighall and Amaranth Riesling. In 1999 the Pinot Noir was designated Amaranth

Hey Craig - the 2008 Dry River Estate Gewurztraminer from the autumn release earlier this year has the designation 'Amaranth'. I'm looking at the bottle right now. Must be a particularly ageworthy one.

Arapoff and Lovat are the same vineyard. The former name is before Dry River bought it. They own it now.

Cheers,
Sue

[jafa]

I believe in the seperation of work and hobby

(snip)
.. 10th year in a row for me, can't break the tradition!

Errr... and I thought WineNZ was a trade show.
Separation of work and pleasure therefore not permitted.
Not sure, but this will be at the least, my 8th. You win.

cheers jafa

[Craig(NZ)]

Errr... and I thought WineNZ was a trade show.

trade and "media"

www.kiwiwinefanclub.co.nz, serving wine geeks since 1999...though for the first 2 years I got tickets from my employer who was a huge wine buyer among other things (even though I had next to nothing to do with wine at work)

Once kwfc became the world wine influence it is today we were sent invites which faithfully arrive in our inbox every year now. I know pretty much every stand is happy we actually write and publish notes from the show. We seem nearly the only folk there that aren't just there for a smoke and a pancake...a chat and a slosh of alcohol!!

Separation of work and pleasure therefore not permitted.

do after work drinkies count??

[jafa]

Haven't tasted any in over 10 years. Reisling was a good buy. '94 fondly remembered still. Still have a few Gewurtz VT, '94 in cellar.
Haven't opened one for years, but last taste was very good.

Heh Heh, nothing like a an old thread revival....
Last night decide to cook pizza, fave topping -potato, rosemary and parmesan. Ordinarily merlot would be the wine
choice or maybe rose, but figured some ancient Gewurtz might be a runner.
1994 Dry River Gewurtraminer Selection, Bottle #1270 13.5%. Fill just below capsule, cork pulled with no issues.
Medium gold colour had me thinking oxidised, but no, very pleasant orange/citrus marmalade, light touch of ginger and white flowers.
Lovely balance not at all noticeably sweet, and I'm congratulating myself on the wine/food matching. After 30mins the colour is noticeably
darker gold, tending brown, and a aged reisling like petrol/kero character develops. 10 more minutes on, and the wine is falling apart.
Last 80-100ml ditched. All up, a much better peformance than expected from this oldtimer.

jafa

[Craig(NZ)]

Was just discussing today with a wine friend that I thought DRGW is best drunk at 4 years old. He agreed. Depends how you like your eggs cooked I guess but it is a bit risky keeping any nz white for 13 years!!

[Maximus]

Hi Kris,

I realize you've probably bought your allocation by now, but I thought I'd just give my input.

The gewurz and syrah, for mine, are the two highlights.

I haven't had a Syrah I haven't enjoyed yet (have had several post-2000 vintages) and whilst the Gewurz can be hot and cold, it's worth the gamble because when it's hot, you'll find yourself undressing very quickly and getting very, very sweaty...

The Riesling I've been a bit ho-hum on. Prefer others. The Chardonnay - particularly the Amaranth - can be exceptional. I would probably choose the Chard or Pinot Gris as a third option. Haven't seen the viognier, and haven't tasted many of their sweeter dessert wines either. The Pinot I just don't get - which I made public in the ODT - and as a result I was taken off the mailing list too. Ah well. If they don't want my business, there's plenty of others I can take it to.

I still buy the Gewurz and Syrah at slightly inflated retail prices. Not much mind you, but the bugger (NM) can make wine.

Cheers,

[jafa]

The gewurz and syrah, for mine, are the two highlights.
I haven't had a Syrah I haven't enjoyed yet (have had several post-2000 vintages) and whilst the Gewurz can be hot and cold, it's worth the gamble because when it's hot, you'll find yourself undressing very quickly and getting very, very sweaty...

........(snip)............. Ah well. If they don't want my business, there's plenty of others I can take it to.

I still buy the Gewurz and Syrah at slightly inflated retail prices. Not much mind you, but the bugger (NM) can make wine.

I certainly agree with your comments about taking your custom where it's appreciated. Exactly my feelings when removed from
the mail list. There's a well known HB winery that holds new release tastings that I used to attend (and usually purchased wine) but
when they started charging $20 attendance, offering a couple of previous vintages, as a bonus, well, I just gave up. If I wanted
a vertical I've got around a dozen vintages in cellar. As a result I haven't purchased regularily from them since 2001, its good to taste
before parting with the cash.

As foreshadowed earlier in this thread, I attended the Dry River, Auckland release. Tasted the Syrah, Reisling, Chardonnay, Gewurtz and
Viognier. Thought the Gewurtz was pick of the bunch, but 14%alc and 18g/ltr RS pushed this over my tolerance levels. The Syrah 2007 was
a major disappointment IMO. A good raspberry boysenberry red fruited nose carried through to the initial palate, which quickly faded to a
black tea, lightly sweetened, long finish. Light palate weight of 12.5% added to the tea like expession. These wines have plenty of eager buyers, so they won't miss me.

jafa

[Craig(NZ)]

If I wanted
a vertical I've got around a dozen vintages in cellar. As a result I haven't purchased regularily from them since 2001, its good to taste
before parting with the cash.

We should organise a auckland coleraine vertical next winter. Should be cheaper and easier than the srl one and the wine is more commonly bought so availability should be good.