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Pegasus Bay
 
Pegasus Bay

Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2020

New Zealand, North Canterbury
Riesling
$$$$
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2020
Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Chardonnay 2019
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Description

Upon release the colour is deep lemon. Delicate floral aromas of citrus blossom and jasmine rise to greet the nose, expanding to tropical notes of pineapple and lychee, with splashes of honey and ginger. In the mouth the wine is rich and multi-layered, its body and texture balanced with a refreshing tanginess through the mid to back palate. Charming sweetness is backed by lively acidity that ensures the wine remains clean and bright, with a long and rewarding close.

Awards

93 pts James Suckling

94/100, Bob Campbell MW, www.bobcampbell.nz, NZ

Certifications

VegetarianVegan

Alcohol

11.5%

Analytical data

70.0 g/l residual sugar
7.1 g/l acidity

Vineyard

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.

Vinification

Aria is part of Pegasus Bay’s reserve series and is the sister wine to our Bel Canto dry riesling. Both are only made in exceptional years that are favourable for the development of noble botrytis. After an extended hang time, the bunches were hand selected with a portion of between 30-50% botrytis and a ripeness of approximately 28 Brix. 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.

Maturation

Months in bottle: 22

Bottling

Closure: Screw top

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