So to celebrate, we invited him over for lunch on Saturday - roast chicken with Phil's onion gravy, mashed potato and steamed veg. One of his favourites. (Nothing too fussy).
The wine - Dry River Syrah 2006. Verdict: lovely wine, possibly should have cellared it for a tad longer. Flavours of black cherry, plum, black currant and liquorice, with a hint of spice and medium tannins. Slightly gamey.
Just checked Dry River's website - and they say this is one to hold on to for a while longer. I'd better consult their online cellar guide next time!
Even so, the wine was a good match for the spicy gravy.
Neil McCallum started the winery in 1979. Dry River shares the Craighall vineyard with Ata Rangi and also sources fruit from contract growers in the area. Plus they have the Arapoff vineyard in Martinborough.
Dry River would easily be in the top three NZ producers of Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. They produce a miniscule two and a half, to three thousand cases of wine a year. (Nobilo makes just over two million.)
A little is exported and anything spare generally goes within a few weeks of release. There is even a waiting list to get on the mailing list – basically you can be added if the member doesn’t order any wine for three consecutive years, or they die. Could be a motive for homicide. Coming soon to your screen: WCSI – Wine Crime Scene Investigation.
Anyway, Neil McCallum sold Dry River to El Molino Wines of California and has largely handed over the reins to young winemaker Katy Hammond, but he stays on as chief winemaker. Now am I getting old or are winemakers getting younger? Sadly, all of the above, I’m afraid. The slim bubbly blonde looks no older than 25 and is passionate about her craft. She sees the wines as feminine and each with a personality of her own:
Despite being owned by a US company there are no plans for expansion or even increase in output.
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