Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2022

Upon release it has a bright gold tint. On the nose there is a rich tapestry of citrus and floral aromas, honeysuckle, rose petal and orange blossom interwoven with lemon curd, lime sherbet and a steely, mineral core. The taste is a zesty fusion of sweet and sour, a wonderfully flavoursome palate, complete with succulent fruit intensity, a rich honeyed mouthfeel, and a rousing whip of acidity. Vibrant and dynamic, it sets the platform for a sustained and moreish finish.

The vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free draining, north facing terraces. It benefits from being in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, giving maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes and thus creating a unique mesoclimate. The vines are over 30 years old, with a large proportion planted on their own roots. They are located on the “Glasnevin Gravels” where greywacke stones, silt and loam have been washed down from the mountains over the millennia. The soil is of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of this unique terroir. The vineyard has warm days, but the nights are amongst the coolest in the Waipara Valley, drawing out the ripening period of the grapes, while still retaining good natural acidity.

The grapes were picked in mid-May selecting bunches with between 30-50% botrytis. The grapes were then gently pressed and the juice fermented slowly at cool temperatures to help the wine retain its vibrant fruit characters and varietal purity. At all stages, from fermentation to bottling, it 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 and accentuates its freshness.