Another top effort from Pegasus Bay...

 
"Its colour is lemon straw. The engaging nose is richly fruited, with floral nuances, suggesting pineapple, quince and pear drop, melded with rose petal, linden and a whisp of saffron. In the mouth it is brightly structured, flaunting exuberance, combined with precision and finesse. Off dry in style, the textured palate is balanced by a splash of varietal acidity and integrated phenolics, that create length and a satisfying tension on the bittersweet close.

Aiming for a classic Alsatian style with a North Canterbury twist, the fruit was harvested in stages over several weeks to optimise the grapes’ range of natural flavours. After picking, they were gently pressed, and the juice fermented in stainless steel tanks at a cool temperature to retain varietal purity and freshness. The wine was then given a short period of ageing on its natural deposit of yeast lees (sur lie), prior to bottling. At all stages, from fermentation to bottling, the wine was handled very carefully to help it retain a little of its naturally dissolved carbon dioxide. This may result in a small amount of spritzig when first poured, accentuating the freshness and liveliness of the wine." Winery

"A complete wine – aromas and flavours of ripe apples and pears, there’s a fine layer of spice with a gentle pepper quality then honeysuckle. A touch of lime-flower and quince adds intrigue and length. The acidity forms the backbone of texture on the palate with a buzz to the freshness. Well made and quite delicious with best drinking from 2026 through 2029." 92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, February 2026 (2025 Vintage)