Jonathan Wall

9.3

Big ratings on this… though I found it a bit hot and acidic day one. Day two however was a dream… soft yet deep. — 4 months ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Enjoyed at our friend’s on the Big Island for NYE dinner. Dark and opaque. Rich in the mouth. Notes of black fruit, slate stone, some menthol and some five spice. In a good window. — a year ago

Big Wave Dave

9.2

Still a bit surly but massive potential. A big and serious nose of reductive smoke, apple, cut grass, and lemon. This is a full bodied powerful wine but there is still a feeling that there is more to come once this properly unfurls. Sour apple, mealy bread, wrapped in toffee. Creamy, but with a solid steak of sour acidity. Amazing length. True GC structure but 5+ years to truly express itself. — 2 years ago

Amber Wendland

9.2

Big apple/tart flavor - yummy — 5 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.0

Red and black fruits - cherry. Generally muted on the nose, even the following day. A big Pinot on the palate - it needed to be with curried prawns with plenty of heat. The following day similar notes - a good accompaniment to strong flavoured foods. Medium + savoury notes on the palate , yet to fully blossom, with fine Sandy tannins. A couple more years in the cellar would be beneficial. 99 points from Kiwi wine scribe, Bob Campbell MW. — 8 months ago

Scott Spitzer

9.3

Tons of big, bright passionfruit aromas with hints of fresh-squeezed lemon. Perky, bright acidity. Very nice. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

Generally regarded as New Zealand’s best expression of a left bank Bordeaux blend. This is a dense Ruby red in colour. Aromas of cedar, cassis, mint, leafy and a menthol note - generally classic left bank descriptors. Quite balanced - a medium plus weight palate - medium tannins and acid. Still a good future into the late 20’s or early 2030s. Sam Kim, who is a NZ wine taster and commentator described this wine on release as the greatest wine ever released in New Zealand which was a big call at the time. Bob Campbell MW said “Coleraine doesn’t get much better than this. “ — 4 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.4

Color of light gold, a bit bubbly. Nose of nice ripe tropical fruits, pineapple, banana, cantaloupe, mango, sweet orange, and salty mineral. Taste is ample acidity with fruity sweetness, a bit more rind, grapefruit, and even a big nutty. Refreshing and clean. Aftertaste of more ripe fruits, a bit spicy, and a bit Riesling flavor. Nicely done. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

A cellar release from Dry River I bought a few years ago. Mid to deep crimson with a hint of tawniness. Great intensity - ripe strawberry - liquorice notes - savoury and sweet at the same time. A strange thing to say but it doesn’t scream Pinot Noir. Grainy tannins. Similar experience as with previous Dry River Pinots to be robust, muscular and contained. Following day big and savoury - I stand by yesterday’s note. A great drink but lacks Pinosity. At least Bob Campbell MW liked it giving it 99 points. — 2 years ago

Dawn E.

9.1

Wonderful as always! Grapefruit, lemon, kiwifruit, hints of tropical fruits, big acidity, grass & minerals. Balance is spot on! — 3 years ago