2023 Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling

95 Points Parker's Wine Advocate
In stock
This remarkable Riesling is dry but rounded, with lots of flavour and power. Such depth comes from a long ripening an a portion of shriveled or botrytised grapes, which contentrates the flavour while making them softer, more complex and more approachable even when young. This is an impressive wine to crack now with pork or chicken, or to soften further in the cellar.
$37.99 in mixed 6+ or $42.99 per bottle

Grape

Riesling

Its Origins

Located in arguably New Zealand's most exciting wine region of North Canterbury (more specifically, Waipara), albeit sparsely scattered with wine estates it is at the forefront of interesting and unique wines in NZ. This is due in part to a fabulous free-draining, well protected terroir. Pegasus Bay is run by the Donaldson family who were pioneers in the region and have been involved with local grape growing and winemaking since the 1970's. The whole family are involved in the process from grape to bottle, and a deep respect for the land, with a long term view towards vine and soil health typifies the Donaldson Family's approach to grape growing. Pegasus Bay is an accredited member of the NZWG sustainable viticulture program and are firm believers of using natural methods to combat pests and diseases rather than the application of unnecessary pesticides and herbicides.

What The Critics Say

5 Stars Michael Cooper

"Bel Canto means 'Beautiful Singing'. Based on the estate's mature vines at Waipara, in North Canterbury, the extremely youthful 2023 vintage was 'hand-selected with a portion of botrytis'. Light lemon/green, it is a powerful, notably sturdy and weighty style of Riesling, with rich, peachy, lemony, vaguely honeyed flavours, showing excellent delicacy, harmony and length. Crisp and basically dry, it's built for the long haul."

93/100 Cameron Douglas Master Sommelier

"Very youthful, vibrant and pristine bouquet with its signature of honeysuckle and complexity from later picked fruit, lemon and white peach, apple and a layer of quince. Delicious on the palate finishing dry driven by a backbone of acidity and mouthfeel, and flavours of citrus and white fleshed orchard fruits before the honeysuckle and late pick characters fold back in. A wine that will age well and deliver exceptional value in years to come."

95/100 Parker's Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin

"Wow. I love the nose here on this 2023 Bel Canto Dry Riesling, with aromas of apricot kernel, jasmine flowers, honeysuckle, crushed sea shells, paraffin wax and lemon barley. In the mouth, the wine is powerful, weighty, intense and impactful. It has so much of everything, stonking power, depth of flavor and warmth from the alcohol—not a pejorative, but certainly part of the experience—the embodiment of all that is good at Pegasus Bay, as I see it. This is a tremendously good wine here."

Variety Riesling
Region Canterbury / Waipara
Closure Cap
Volume 750ml
Alcohol 14.00%
Maturity 2023 - 2035

This Wine Goes Well With

with MILD CHEESE
with SEAFOOD
with SHELLFISH

Taste

4

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