Lawson’s Dry Hills ‘Ranu’ 2023 , notes by Cameron Douglas MS 93 Points
‘Ranu’ is a co-fermentation of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer delivering a bouquet of complexity and freshness, each variety gives an equal power and intensity of flavours on the palate from the ripe baked pear of Gris, lemon and apple of Riesling and floral spicy top notes of Gewurz. A silky texture touches the palate then the spice and acid line from each variety layers in a salivating mouthfeel. Drinking perfectly now and through 2029.
Only produced three times since its launch in 2017, the 2023 vintage of this unusual wine is now available. Initially created to commemorate 25 years of Lawson’s Dry Hills, Ranu, Māori for ‘mixture’, is a co-fermentation of Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer.
Usually, a blend is made from individual wines that have been fermented separately and then ‘married together’ in varying proportions depending on the desired style. The difference with Ranu, is that the three grape varieties are actually fermented together.
The reason this wine is not produced every year, is that conditions have to be suitable for each of the three grape varieties to reach optimal levels of ripeness at the same time, so they can be picked, pressed and fermented together. We were able to make Ranu is 2017, 2020 and 2023.
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Prior to picking the grapes, the vines underwent careful canopy management including shoot-thinning and leaf-plucking which, along with the great weather, meant we harvested them in perfect condition, full of intense, varietal flavours.
One small bin of each was hand-picked from our best vineyard blocks, pressed together and then placed in an old French oak puncheon (500l) and one old French oak barrique (224l). The wine was not inoculated with a cultured yeast but fermented ‘wild’ with naturally occurring yeasts found on the skins of the grapes. As the name suggests – ‘wild’ means unpredictable, providing added complexity and uniqueness, much of it from the extremely long fermentation that keeps the yeast in suspension in the wine. The wine remained on lees in oak until bottling in late December. It was then held back a further three months prior to release.
As you might expect from this special co-ferment of Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer, this wine has a beautiful floral nose and array of fruit characters including red apple, lime and white peach together with some tropical hints. The palate is dry with intense flavours and a lovely mineral character, particularly from the Riesling component. All three varieties make their presence felt with the Riesling providing an acid focus, the Pinot Gris giving a lushness to the mid-palate and the Gewurztraminer bringing weight and a little phenolic structure.
Proud of our people, honouring our land and preserving our planet, Lawson’s Dry Hills produces wines that are an authentic representation of the grape variety and the place it was grown. We are a certified carbon zero producer growing and making certified sustainable Marlborough wines. Recipient of the 2023 New Zealand International Business Award ‘Excellence in Sustainability.
For further information, please email [email protected] or for wholesale orders, please call 03 578 7674 or email [email protected]
