(2024) I'm a big fan of Riverby's Syrah, even though it is not available in the UK and Syrah as a variety is almost unheard of in Marlborough. There's a lively quality of black fruit touched by exotic spices like caraway, with a gloss of balsamic oak. The palate has medium weight and ripe black fruit, smooth as silk and finishing with excellent balance. For me, another very fine expression of Syrah from the region.
(2022) From the cooler Southern Valleys with glacial soils, a small amount of whole bunch fruit was included in ferments with indigenous yeast. The wine matured in a mixture of new and older French oak barriques. Lots of meaty, charcuterie character on the nose here, that hessian note of the stalks, but a depth of blue-black fruit. The fruit here is solid and ripe, with savoury, dark fruit skin edges, a nicely roughening edge of bold tannin and creamy but decisive acidity. Rich, dense and savoury to the end, in quite a different, meaty style. Biodynamic.
(2021) Aged in French oak barriques for 10 months, 20% new oak, this is made by Matt Thompson of Blank Canvas. Spices and interesting fruit character, some floral exotic notes, and earthy undertow beneath. The palate shows the creaminess a little more, plenty of sweetness to the fruit but depth of nutmeg spice and good acidity that gives this substance and layered interest.
(2021) Made with wild yeasts again, with 18 months in French oak barrels, 35% new and another nicely pale Pinot. So much sweet truffle, coffee and forest floor here, but a depth of ripe fruit too as another layer. That richness, that suggestion of mocha, is there on the palate, but the keen raspberry edge of the fruit and acidity sharpens everything up. This has great fruit but an unwavering clarity too, and lots of savoury orange and grapefruit in the mix for a formidable example of Marlborough Pinot at, or near, it's best.
(2020) Fragrant, even high-toned at first, sandalwood and exotic spices, cherry and a dusty, tomato leaf note too. Quite unusual aromatically. On the palate it is savoury and meaty, an umami and sour finish that is meaty and mouth-watering. Tannin and acid adds a tangy element to the finish.No UK retail stockist listed at time of review.
(2020) This wine spends up to 20 months in 228 litre French oak, and comes from a mixture of Syrah clones including the Chave clone. Fully ripe with a lovely lift, violet and kirsch, and graphite. Sweet, solid black fruit. Chocolate and spices, then a bit of slatey character adds a graphite firmness and edge to the chocolate and ripeness of mouthfilling blackcurrant. No UK stockists listed at time of review.
(2020) Barrel sample. Lots of florals here, lots of lift and fresh red fruits, cherry and a lovely truffle note developing .In the mouth a fine truffle and smoke character, but the flesh and finesse of the fruit are both in lovely balance, a touch of toast and chocolate. A cautious score for now, but a beautiful Pinot with potential to score even higher. Price and stockist for a previous vintage at time of review.
(2020) Pale but bold garnet colour. Delicate perfume, lots of smoky notes intertwined with old roses and briar and cherry. Delicious, plenty of ripeness and a finish that’s balanced with smooth tannins and a bit of chocolate and smoky/spicy character.
(2020) From a single vineyard in Brancott that is farmed biodynamically. A huge depth of colour. A tiny bit reduced, but the cherry depth of fruit comes through, a little black fruit character, lot of bold cherry, a kirsch and plum skin intensity, super sweet fruit, a touch of beetroot, and lovely fresh acid. Fine line of Supple tannin. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review.
(2020) Lovely pale, pure colour, clove, cinnamon and firmer cherry fragrance, a touch of red liquorice, tiny florals nuances. Quite delicate, racy, a lovely tension and gravelly core to it, with a bolstering taut tannin and acid core running through it.
