As always, the proof of the pudding is in the bottle and Emma and Rod Easthope of Easthope Wines in Hawke’s Bay put it this way. "There’s a particular satisfaction in harvest — especially after a season that asked questions of the vines. Sun, rain, wind. They were tested. The wines will tell the story".
2025 Monte Christo Central Otago Riesling
Rating Excellent
Delightful white flowers
florality, apple, citrus, a
note akin to fruit
sherbet/candied fruits,
the aromatics really
leading the way, a touch
of dry honey appears
with air. Green apple
and greengage plum
flavours, this is
invitingly fresh and crisp
with vibrant acidity
matched by a
suggestion of
creaminess. A brightly
fruited dry style with
potential too.
2021 Dicey Brothers Dry Riesling #3
Rating Excellent
A musky nuance, a
deeper register to the
aromatics yet a sense of
delicacy, spiced apple.
A fascinating
suppleness and
richness, the texture a
highlight, now with a
fruit pithy phenolic
character adding grip
and chew, tautness in a
really nice way. The
nose opens up,
accentuating that musk
and apple, apple again
on the palate with an
almost tingly quality on
the long close.
2025 Blank Canvas Anandale Farm Marlborough Riesling
Rating Excellent
Fragrant, apple, sherbet,
a wisp of crushed leaf,
hard candy, very
engaging. Honey, apple
and citrus resonate on
the palate, then a core
of racy acidity snaps
this into line. Grows in
complexity and interest,
developing orange/
mandarin notes and
there’s a long refreshing
finish. The interplay
between the zesty
acidity and honeyed
qualities brings you
back for more.
2025 Pegasus Bay Riesling
Rating Excellent
Flinty, smoky
characters lead,
teasing out individual
characters seems
superfluous as this is
all about the whole.
Fresh acidity contrasts
the richness and
mouth-filling qualities,
grapefruit, acid drops,
honeyed notes with a
little freshening spritz.
Honey and tropical
fruit notes emerge on
the nose, lovely
tension. Drinking
superbly but history
tells us this will age
with grace.
2024 Dicey Bannockburn Riesling
Rating Very Good to Excellent
A whisper of struck
match, wet wool,
apple, florality building
though initially subtle.
The palate flits
between grapefruit,
lime and mandarin
citrus on a foundation
of apple. There’s a
crunchy, slightly
grainy quality to the
mouthfeel adding
interest to the close.
This comes in just off-
dry as the laser beam
of acidity kicks into
gear.
2025 Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling
Rating Outstanding
Utterly gorgeous nose,
honey and musk,
almond and apple,
lemon and fruit pastille.
There’s a fascinating
chalky phenolic aspect
going on that adds
structure and grip,
neatly contrasting the
sweetness. Honey,
apricot, citrus, toffee
apple, burnt orange, so
much going on here
that draws you back. A
long, lingering, lip-
smacking finish that
feels more off-dry.
Great stuff.
