Pegasus Bay, Bel Canto Dry Riesling, Waipara

Stunning wine, drinking in early maturity. A touch of petrol, a bit of botrytis adding depth, bottle age giving added nuance. Dry, but the extract, alcohol and ripeness of the fruit adds richness - certainly the botrytis adds lots of fresh apricot notes to the mineral/ lime peel Riesling character. Drunk blind, I would likely guess Alsatian. Tasted after the Main Divide 2023 Riesling (same producer), this was the more complex and complete wine, but both bottle demonstrated the quality …

fresh, quite intense orange zest, honey, citrus skins on the nose. orange blossoms, a touch sugary though. feels more sweet than the 7.9g/L rs, a bit not as pleasant syrupy texture and sensation but pairs well with the chicken curry. more zesty and florals on the palate, with the intensity to lift the curry up. would have probably given 16.5, if not of the 15.5% abv which literally knocked me out. the wine was in balance, bar the alcohol. 16

Medium minus intensity aromas of wild ferment, muted citrus (orange) fruit, slight herbaceous notes. In the mouth it's juicy with medium plus intensity acidity, touches of bitter orange and orange peel, textured, carries long with a little spice and onion note (wah?).

Expressive nose initially but some alcohol heat. Peach, honey, lime zest and wet stone. Full bodied on the palate again let down by touch of extra heat. Drink or hold. WSET Notes: Pale lemon green. Pronounced on the nose with lime zest, white blossom, petrol, wet stone, green apple, peach, honey, beeswax and pear. Developing. Pronounced and dry on the palate. Full body, high alcohol, high acidity, long finish. Can drink now but has potential for aging.

Immense nose of flint, lemon, white grapefruit, blood orange and white melon. Pure Riesling clarity and typicity. Lovely high acidity and the high alcohol is well integrated. Long finish. It’s an intense wine - not one for causal sipping.

New Zealand London Annual Trade Tasting (Lindley Hall, Royal Horticultural Halls) : Round, rubbery, tight, underripe citrus notes, aggressive

Bought from The House of Townend UK £24.99 Jan 2022. N....fresh ripe apples, cut apricot. No intensity. C....straw. T.....drier than I remember previous bottles of this being; good fruit profile, peach, lemon and honey, ripe apple, tinned apricot, a decent essence; a nice tension of fruit v's acid v's balance; classy and long; impressive and surprising minerality of limestone and river stones; gentle tannins; some quince skin lurking. VFM?.....feels worth £25.00 but costs just less than that so I'm happy. …

Loads of fruit on the nose - green apple, lime zest, nectarine, along with beeswax, and some peppery spice. If it wasn't for the obvious Riesling aroma it could have been Gruner. Lovely mouthfeel - supple and voluptuous, with racy acidity, but the high alcohol won't be for everyone.