2023 Pegasus Bay Waipara Riesling

"With its large diurnal range and long lingering autumns, North Canterbury is an ideal playground for riesling, making it possible to create concentrated wines that still possess favourable acidity and finesse. Our house style involves giving the grapes an extended “hang time” and picking (when possible) with a portion of noble botrytis, to enable our site to express itself harmoniously through this variety. Following harvest, the free run juice was fermented slowly at cool temperatures to help the wine express the unique characters of our region. At all stages, the wine was handled very carefully to help retain a little of its natural carbon dioxide. This has resulted in a small amount of spritzig, which adds extra liveliness to the wine. It has a pale lemon sheen, with profound citrus, floral and tropical notes. Suggestions of mandarin zest and ruby grapefruit flirt temptingly with snippets of frangipani, orange blossom, pineapple, and mango. A lick of flinty minerality completes the allure. The palate is vibrant and energised, with layered citrus, racy acidity, and a hint of spritzig giving a zesty, lemon sherbet mouthfeel. Elegant and stylish with unobtrusive sweetness, the wine tapers into a steely, honeyed finish that leaves a lasting impression."

"Classy stuff. Estate-grown at Waipara, in North Canterbury, in top vintages it is richly fragrant and thrillingly intense, with flavours of citrus fruits and honey, complex and luscious. Based on mature vines and stop-fermented in a distinctly medium style, it breaks into full stride at about three years old and can mature well for over a decade. The distinctive 2020 vintage is already delicious. Bright yellow/green, it is weighty and rich, with deep, peachy, slightly honeyed and gingery flavours, gentle sweetness, and a very harmonious."