A ‘late harvest’ style of riesling, from the pioneers of Waipara – described by the producer as ‘the sister wine to our Bel Canto dry riesling’. 2014 was a great botrytis year, with a mild spring, a warm summer and an early autumn producing ripe fruit. The late autumn rain encouraged noble botrytis in the grapes before they were picked.
A deep coppery-gold colour in the glass. A bouquet that shows apricot, orange marmalade, melon, lemon peel, peach and lychee, with abundant floral notes of honeysuckle and jasmine. Gently spiced and with a plush texture that coats the tongue, there is plenty of bright acidity to counter the sweetness and give line through the palate. Some depth to the palate also, but without too much weight – the feeling is one of lightness and energy. A candy store basket of sherbert, marshmallow and toffee adds to the layers, before the finish which lingers and engages. 93pts
