Lawsons Dry Hills Riesling 2020

Lawson's Dry Hills Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2020

Grape: 100% Riesling, single plot Waihopai Southern Valleys, sustainable farming, only "free run" juice used, 7.2g/L residual sugar (off-dry style), unoaked 

Producer Tasting Note:

This wine has lifted lemon and floral aromatics with a touch of lanolin. The palate is dry and zesty with bright acidity, an elegant palate and a mouth-watering minerality. The 2020 vintage was great for Riesling so we picked at the perfect time, maximising the intense flavours. With its naturally high acidity, a good quality Riesling, such as this one, will age beautifully. Five years plus – no problem at all.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Aromas of preserved lemons, kerosene, matchstick, grapefruit and lime leaves. The palate is light-bodied with striking acidity, creamy texture and some residual sweetness. Lovely balance and precision. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

92/100 points, James Suckling, March 2025

"It's immediately appealing on the nose, showing lemon curd, apricot, orange peel and subtle spice aromas, followed by a juicy palate offering fleshy texture backed by elegant sweetness and beautifully pitched acidity. Elegantly flavoursome with a prolonged, delicious finish. Style: Medium-dry. At its best: now to 2032"

5 Stars (95 points), Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, October 2024

Also awarded GOLD (96 points), New Zealand International Wine Show, 2025

Estate: 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.

Food Match: Brilliant aperitif, but also good with soft, white cheeses, feta, fresh seafood with lemon or lime flavours, poached or smoked fish, salads, green vegetable dishes and fresh summer herbs. Also good as a foil for richer dishes such as pates and terrines, and creamy chowders.