Pegasus Bay Encore Noble Riesling 2017

On release, it has a striking bright gold appearance. A plethora of lush and decadent aromas delight the nose. Ripe melon, quince, honey, and perfume are flanked by deeper impressions of crème brulée, marmalade, lemon meringue and sweet spice. The palate is unctuous and concentrated, with a multi layered and palatial mouthfeel. Complementing this perfectly is a seam of lively and refreshing acidity, adding structure and paving the way for a long, pleasurable finish.

The outcrop of land on which these grapes were grown consists largely of weathered stones and mineral rich gravels. These were shorn off New Zealand’s Southern Alps by an ice-age glacier, which carried them down the valleys and deposited them in selected sites. The vineyard has warm days, but the nights are amongst the coolest in the Waipara Valley, which helps draw out the ripening period and while retaining good natural acidity. This is especially suited to our old riesling vines that have now had time to sink their roots deep into this unique mineral rich terroir.

The vines are over 30 years old, with a large proportion planted on their own roots.

This wine is made in the style of an Alsatian Selection des Grains Nobles, or a German Trockenbeerenauslësen. Riesling grapes were left to hang until late autumn, and then hand-picked, choosing the most beautifully noble botrytic fruit. Further hand selection was carried out in the winery, retaining only the best berries. These were gently pressed, and a small amount of very rich juice obtained. This was transferred into tank, where it was left to gradually ferment at low temperatures over many months, to preserve varietal purity and help the wine express the unique characters of our region.