Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Noir, Marlborough

Lawson’s Dry Hills is a boutique winery, close to Blenheim in New Zealand’s Marlborough region. They are part of the Family of Twelve, a fraternity of twelve of New Zealand’s most prestigious and enduring artisanal wineries.

The original company vineyard was planted in 1982 by Ross and Barbara Lawson, who launched the Lawson’s Dry Hills label some ten years later, in 1992. Today, the company’s wines range from Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir to Riesling and Gewurztraminer and are all made from fruit grown in the Wairau, Waihopai, Omaka and Awatere Valleys. These different regions and carefully selected vineyard sites provide varying characteristics derived from the different soils and microclimates, giving many options when it comes to blending to that much-anticipated Lawson’s style.

The dedicated bunch of people that make up the small team here are relaxed in company, yet passionate about their wines. They are very ‘hands on’, living and breathing every part of the viticultural and winemaking process and love to share their award-winning wines with others.

The Marlborough region is justly renowned for its supple, fruit-driven Pinot Noir and this wine is right up there with the best. It is a lovely burgundy hue with a warm, inviting nose of strawberry, raspberry and a touch of smoky, vanillin oak. The ripe berry flavours are matched with a lovely soft mouthfeel and fine silky tannins. Perhaps more importantly, it is quite delicious!