Wine Region: Marlborough

(2026) A moderate alcohol wine at 9.5% that, unusually by European standards, blends Sauvignon Blanc with Malbec. Techniques to keep the alcohol level down include canopy management and site selection, developed largely by Dr John Forrest whose hand may well be behind this. Whoever makes it has done a good job. The Sauvignon character is there, with a bit of added red berry fruit, a trace of sweetness balanced by nice, fresh acidity. A decent lower alcohol wine this.

(2026) The 2025 Riesling is as fresh cut add limey as you like, the clear citrus character softened by a hint of honey and herbs, maybe even a sneaking glimpse of something more tropical in there. In the mouth it is bracing, salt and lemon-licked stuff, bone dry surely, with a little peachiness on the mid-palate fruit before a pithy lemon finish of great clarity. An exhilarating wine for those who crave a zap of acidity in their wine.

(2026) Another really excellent effort with Riverby's 2024 Chardonnay, from a vineyard planted to the Mendoza clone back in 1989, making it some of the oldest Chardonnay in Marlborough. The nose again has that polished sheen of oatmeal and almond from judicious French oak fermentation and ageing. Only partial malolactic has ensure the acidity and tension is there, but this is a Chardonnay in the generous style with a ripe, mouthfilling richness of sweet fruit, underpinned by nutty creaminess and sharpened by taut, limey acidity. Terrific. 30% new oak, 40% in 450L puncheons, the rest in 228L barriques.

(2026) The unusual blend for this pink is based around the estate's Pinot Noir, blended with Grüner Veltliner and Pinot Gris. It has a pale to medium colour and is basically dry with residual sugar barely registering at 2g/l. Cherry bubblegum and watermelon aromas are fresh and fruity, then the palate has a drier, more herb-touched and cranberry/redcurrant fruitiness that melts into a gentle but persistent acidity.

(2026) The Old Vines Reserve comes from A 30-year-old+plus vineyard planted with the Mendoza clone of Chardonnay, where grapes develop at irregular sizes. That's prized by many winemakers because good levels of acidity are ensured by the smallest, less developed berries. As always the aromas are so inviting, with creamy almond and a hint of honey, over obviously ripe fruit that spans Meyer lemon to peach. In the mouth the smoothing texture and slick of vanilla makes this quite sumptuous, the fruit is ripe and gently exotic, and the combination of intense concentration and vivid citrus acidity makes for a cracking mouthful of fine wine. Fermeted and aged in French oak, 35% new barrels, with 40% in 450L puncheons, the rest in 228L barriques.

(2026) What a vivacious and likeable Sauvignon this is, with only 1.4g/l of residual sugar. The nose is brimming with mango and nectarine, grapefruit and passion fruit, just a well judged stripe of herbaceousness adding cut. Juicy, fruity and so well balanced in the mouth, this has masses of verve and lip-smacking appeal thanks to the ripe fruit and luminous acidity.

(2026) The fruit is all from Riverby's Jacksons Road vineyard, several different Pinot clones and the oldest vines are 30 years old. Made in open-top fermenters and aged 15 months in French oak, 40% new oak. Highlights of raspberry, herbs and rose-hip precede a more truffle and lightly earthy and balsamic character. The palate has delicious spice and very juicy fruit, medium-bodied and edged by its acidity and taut tannins. Aged in 40% new oak for 15 months, a mix of 114, 115, 667, 777 and clone 5.

(2026) The name says it all for this Pinot, six rows of a single clone being left behind accidentally when the rest of their premium fruit was picked. One week of extra hang time seems to have done this absolutely no harm at all. Seems to wear its oak quite lightly. Aromatically similar cherry, raspberry and lightly herbal/floral notes and a touch of meatiness to the Reserve Pinot. In the mouth the sweet, pulpy fruit seems to sing a little more clearly, before a savoury finish where moderate tannins and fresh acidity are joined by a little coffeeish, briary support. Matured in 40% new oak for 15 months. 100% clone 777.

(2026) This is the medium-sweet Riesling in Riverby's range that is always such a lovely wine. It has 38g/l or residual sugar. The nose is all about lime and floral aromatics, downy peach skins too, but lurking in there is a little apple peel bite of something savoury. In the mouth the delightful sweetness dances on the tongue - nothing syrupy or heavy - and all the while the clean burst of citrus is marshaling the mid-palate into a sweet but balanced finish.

(2026) This has quickly established itself as one of the stars of the Riverby range, a wine with weight and character in the Alsace style, though dry with just 2.7g/l of residual sugar to give some roundness. There's a shimmer of pink to the colour, and plenty of stone fruits and hint of ginger toffee on the nose. In the mouth it is textured and quite full-bodied, a wine that certainly has volume in the Alsace style, quite grippy thanks to the acidity taking hold of the finish.