Pinot Gris 2023
This is another of Riverby's wines that just seems to get better each vintage, and this one is an absolute gem. From vines planted in 2006, and with just a touch of residual sugar to add weight rather than sweetness, it has a succulent stone fruit nose, a delicate biscuit or pastry warmth and yet real freshness too, floral and citrus adding vivid highlights. The palate is absolutely delicious I must say. Fleshy nectarine sweetness has loads of depth, star anise hints, even a touch of ginger or clove, and the thrusting core of lime acidity is so precise without being too sharp. Beguiling stuff. 93/100
Tom Cannavan. Wine Pages.com March 2024
Buy a case (12 bottles) to get 12% discount - If you would like to organise a mixed case please email kevin@riverbyestate.com and we can put together a special order.
This is another of Riverby's wines that just seems to get better each vintage, and this one is an absolute gem. From vines planted in 2006, and with just a touch of residual sugar to add weight rather than sweetness, it has a succulent stone fruit nose, a delicate biscuit or pastry warmth and yet real freshness too, floral and citrus adding vivid highlights. The palate is absolutely delicious I must say. Fleshy nectarine sweetness has loads of depth, star anise hints, even a touch of ginger or clove, and the thrusting core of lime acidity is so precise without being too sharp. Beguiling stuff. 93/100
Tom Cannavan. Wine Pages.com March 2024
Buy a case (12 bottles) to get 12% discount - If you would like to organise a mixed case please email kevin@riverbyestate.com and we can put together a special order.
This is another of Riverby's wines that just seems to get better each vintage, and this one is an absolute gem. From vines planted in 2006, and with just a touch of residual sugar to add weight rather than sweetness, it has a succulent stone fruit nose, a delicate biscuit or pastry warmth and yet real freshness too, floral and citrus adding vivid highlights. The palate is absolutely delicious I must say. Fleshy nectarine sweetness has loads of depth, star anise hints, even a touch of ginger or clove, and the thrusting core of lime acidity is so precise without being too sharp. Beguiling stuff. 93/100
Tom Cannavan. Wine Pages.com March 2024
Buy a case (12 bottles) to get 12% discount - If you would like to organise a mixed case please email kevin@riverbyestate.com and we can put together a special order.
The 2023 vintage in Marlborough turned out to be exceptional, producing grapes and then wine of incredible quality, although it certainly didn’t always look that way. Spring 2022 started with good weather leading to a successful flowering and reasonable bunch numbers. From January onwards the weather was quite mixed, with showers and inconsistent temperatures, however the grapes came through in good order and the last two weeks prior to harvest had perfect conditions for slow, perfect ripening with cool nights and warm days.
Our Pinot Gris block was planted in 2006, so it is now gaining vine age, and this is starting to be reflected in our increasingly complex Pinot Gris style. It is important with Pinot Gris to carefully manage yields. Left unrestrained this variety can easily get out of hand and lose its precise varietal character. When well managed, with low yields, an enticing, crisp and complex wine is achievable, given the right vineyard location and an agreeable growing season.
This wine was largely fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, but a small portion was aged in seasoned oak barrels which, along with time on lees, contributes significantly to the wine’s complexity. It was harvested on 23 March 2023 and bottled on 10 August 2023.
Mid lemon in colour, the nose is instantly appealing with a rich spicy top-note, displaying complex garden florals and compelling aromas of poached pears, ripe peaches and nectarines, grapefruit, mandarin, lime and spicy cloves. The palate continues the rich, spicy theme with the myriad of spices giving great mouthfeel, texture and creamy complexity to this rich, elegant wine. The nashi pear and peach base is supported by a grapefruit citrus component and a noticeable herbal influence with hints of basil. The lees influence gives it a beguiling grainy character. It has perfectly poised acidity and a refreshing crispness. The long, elegant finish is very attractive, and it will certainly develop even greater complexity with time to age in the bottle.
Technical notes
Alcohol: 12.71%, Acidity: 6.4, PH: 3.36, Residual Sugar: 4.5 g/l.
Reviews
Silver medal NZIWS 2023
This is wonderfully fruited and enticing on the nose, showing poached pear, fig, lemon peel and subtle spice aromas, leading to a silky-smooth palate that's succulent and fleshy. It's beautifully framed by refreshing acidity, offering excellent drinking. At its best: now to 2027. ***** 94/100
Sam Kim Wine Orbit. Nov 2023
Beguiling fragrance, toffee apple, spices, pears, a little beeswax with aeration. Youthfully expressed, bright, carrying the characters from the nose through to the palate adding hints of gum and dry honey. Supple & rounded at first then the racy acidity gets into work creating nice vibrancy. Dips a whisker on the close then roars back for a long, satisfying finish. Excellent.
Mark Henderson. ODT January 2024