Last week I alluded to the uncertainty of placement of some of the wines as I tried to connect drier styles and sweeter styles in two tasting line-ups. I suspect this uncertainty is off-putting for some consumers, but you can approach this group expecting to see sweetness, but also with delightful balance and zest.
2023 Carrick Josephine Organic Bannockburn Riesling
Rating Excellent
Wisps of wild yeast, a
line of apple and citrus,
subtle but engaging.
Bolder in the mouth,
initially a little spritz
perking up the supple
acidity, a core of apple
with honeyed richness,
flowing nicely through
the palate. Really kicks
into gear with aeration,
fleshing out on the palate
adding spice nuances
with increasing vibrancy
all the while. Grows
nicely in the glass.
2022 Main Divide North Canterbury Riesling
Rating Very Good to Excellent
A sense of volume,
musk, honey, apricot,
a mushroomy umami
quality. A spritzy
prickle joins forces
with the acidity to give
nice lift. The palate
more medium-weight,
a little chewy grip with
a bittersweet element
providing contrast.
With time, the honeyed
sweetness gathers
momentum tinged
with orange zest. Feels
in a delightful place to
enjoy now.
2022 Misha’s Vineyard Limelight Riesling
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Beguiling perfume,
florality, white flowers,
musk, talc, apple,
mandarin, each sniff a
new adventure. Evident
flavour intensity on the
creamily textured palate,
while an attractive
apricot kernel bittersweet
quality neatly balances
the bush honey notes.
Off-dry rather than
sweet, just super
balance and great
complexity. Will likely
improve further, but hard
to resist now.
2022 Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked North Canterbury Riesling
Rating Outstanding
Swoon worthy nose,
wood smoke, gunflint,
musky botrytis, bush
honey, mandarin, layers
of aroma. Silky, super
rich entry, while there’s
lusciousness in spades
there’s superb balance
with a core of acidity
keeping it fresh. Intensity
of flavour, dances in the
mouth, complexity, a
long, long finish, the
acidity cutting through
the honeyed sweetness.
Simply delicious.
2023 Riverby Estate Eliza Single Vineyard Marlborough Riesling
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Bold, fragrant nose, red
apple, apple skin, fruit
cordial, bright, fresh,
lovely purity, yeast
notes later. Nicely
creamy on the palate,
green apple joined by
fruit sherbet, honeyed
aspects and creaming
soda remaining
attractively racy, flowing
to a richly off-dry close.
Great flavour depth and
while this is already
drinking superbly, I
suspect there’s potential
here too.
2023 Riverby Estate Sali’s Block Single Vineyard Marlborough Riesling
Rating Excellent
Tasted blind, there seems
some familial likeness to
the previous wine.
Fragrant with apple, fruit
jube, white flowers and
honey. Those characters
continue on the palate, a
little fruit cordial too while
chalky phenolic hints
adds to the textural
interest. The fruit
sweetness builds but this
remains just off-dry with
a lovely tangy contrast to
close. Lots of flavour,
nicely done.
