Pegasus Bay, Bel Canto Dry Riesling

Erin Larkin’s Wine Advocate review of Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Riesling from her latest trip to the South Island...

From there, I went to Pegasus Bay, and it was here that I was so impacted. This is an iconic Riesling producer - Rieslings worth crossing the ocean for. They age slowly and gracefully, employ botrytis as a textural aid and are thundering examples of Riesling from New Zealand. I can’t overstate that. These are collectors’ wines. I have seen older examples in Australia over the years, served blind, that have taken the room by storm. My thanks to Winemaker Matt Donaldson for the afternoon; it took us in directions I think neither of us expected.

Pegasus Bay Riesling Bel Canto – 94 points

The Bel Canto Dry Riesling leads with loquat, kumquat and orange rind. In the mouth, the wine is floral, detailed and full - it is actually quite wide, spreading to all corners of the mouth, leaving a trail of fine chalky texture in its wake. Really good.