My first tasting back was gin (more on that later) with my first wine tasting a flight of Rieslings. The Rieslings were a marvellous vinous welcome back.
2022 Riverby Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Riesling
Rating Excellent
Engaging nose, dry straw,
minerality, apple, dry
honey, wisps of lime. Dry,
very racy, yet an
undercurrent of fruit
sweetness. Lovely depth
of flavour that lingers long
in the mouth, a wisp of
wild yeast, initially a
creaminess to the
texture, then enlivened
by the acidity bringing a
bright, tangy note to the
close. Lots of flavour,
bone dry and it works
nicely.
2020 Pegasus Bay North Cantebury Riesling
Rating Excellent
A little colour shift showing
some development. Lime
cordial, lanolin, wild yeast,
stony gravel, musk, a little
funky intrigue with
aeration. Power in the
mouth, intensity of
flavour, ripe fruits, dry
honey, apple, fruit
sweetness yet this
closes dry, a little
bittersweet nuance
balancing the fruit
sweetness. Develops
orange/mandarin notes.
Delicious, so easy to
drink.
2023 Maude Mt Maude Wanaka Dry Riesling
Rating Excellent
Incredibly floral nose, white
flowers, jasmine, gum,
crushed rocks, perfume
building, a sense of
delicacy. Quite dry yet with
flavour intensity to carry it,
those flavours lingering
beautifully. Crunchy apple
& smoke add to the mix,
that sense of delicacy
expressed in lightness
and ethereality. Racy,
fresh, vibrant and a nice
each way bet: food
friendly but a lovely
aperitif too.
2020 Main Divide North Cantebury Riesling
Rating Outstanding
Shows colour shift
again. Fascinating
nose with struck
match/bonfire smoke
notes melded with
honey, apple and
orange citrus. Very
engaging. Delightfully
silky entry, flooding
the mouth with
flavour, carrying on
where the nose left
off adding a creamy/
lactic note. Delightful
integration, creamy
texture, flavour
depth, complexity. A
gorgeous mouthful,
super stuff.
2013 Pegasus Bay Aged Riesling North Canterbury Riesling
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Light gold colour, yet not
overtly secondary
characters. Caraway seed,
light honey, mandarin zest,
cooked apple, drawing you
in. Superb integration &
balance, wonderful
length, hangs in the
mouth. The acid core
comes to the fore before
the fruit jacket once
again encloses it,
adding apricot kernel
and spice. Remarkably
youthful if this is the
’13.
2022 Riverby Estate Sali’s Block Single Vineyard Marlborough Riesling
Rating Very Good to Excellent
Leads with a dash of white
pepper, dried herbs,
preserved lemon, lemon
pepper, apple with aeration.
Subtleness to both nose
and palate, fruit pithy
phenolics adding
chalkiness to the texture.
Orange zest and stewed
apple frame the long
finish, an undercurrent of
apricot/kernel. A hint of
rs adds suppleness.
Tightly wound today,
very food orientated.
