Most of our clients will be aware that Te Awa Winery and Dry River are now both owned by the Robertson family. They are committed to the continuing development of premium wine styles and this Dry River wine is the first from a project using fruit from the Te Awa vineyards situated in Hawke Bay’s “Gimblett Gravels”. The winemaking goals are as for our other reds, including a clear varietal expression in a style which is not dominated by new wood and to this end the wine has spent 12 months in 35% new oak barrels – from the centre of France because of the more subtle contribution from this tight-grained wood.
The colour is intense – ruby with purple highlights to the edge. An obviously floral nose reminds one of rose petals, potpourri, Black Doris plums and crushed nuts. The palate is full with a big structure like crushed silk leading into flavours of red fruit, plums and carob with an attractive transparency giving a sense of refinement. This is quite delicious now, and should be an interesting prospect for the longer term. |
