The early summer was extremely hot and initially it seemed as though it might be too much for this cool climate variety. Fortunately, February was atypically cool, slowing down the grapes’ maturation. There followed a long, dry autumn which allowed the riesling to ripen perfectly. The fine weather continued and we left the grapes from which this wine was made, hanging on the vines until winter. Dewy mornings followed by warm days allowed clean, noble botrytis to develop, which shrivelled the grapes to give extra concentration and added its own special flavour. It was late in June, after the shortest day that we hand selected the bunches which had shrivelled enough to give the desired concentration. On five occasions, each of which was separated by five to seven days.

Following harvest the grapes were gently pressed and the clarified juice underwent slow fermentation at a cool temperature to help retain the natural fruitiness. As soon as fermentation was completed it was removed from its yeast lees to maximise varietal purity and freshness.

The wine has a vibrant, multicoloured palette of aromas and flavours, reminiscent of ripe figs, paw paw, lychees, passionfruit and mandarin. A strong element of comb honey and beeswax comes from the botrytis. The after-taste leaves impressions of lemons and limes, while the whole palate is infused with impressions of Turkish musk and tropical spices. Although it is rich, mouth filling and luscious, it has a spine of natural mouth-tingling acidity and tangy minerality, which give elegance and perfect balance. The wine seems to develop and expand on the palate, giving a complex interplay of impressions which linger well after swallowing.

While ready to drink on release it should, with careful cellaring, evolve and unfold a further rich array of nuances and complexities over the next five or six years and live for a decade or more.

Download Tasting Notes


2017

“…. A wine of great depth, beauty and harmony, it has rich, oily peach, apricot and honey flavours, abundant sweetness, good acid spine and an enduring finish.”
- Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooperwines.com, NZ

This is totally delicious …. It's creamy and velvety with refreshing acidity, finishing persistent and gratifying.
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ

96/100
“… Very intense, exotic wine Delicious now but no rush.”
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, NZ

95/100
“ ... An exciting and delicious wine  …”
- Cameron Douglas MS, www.camdouglasms.com, NZ

98/100
“… This Noble Riesling shows impressive arrays of flavour, strength and balance, lending an incredibly moreish, pleasing finish ...” 
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
94/100
The 2017 Riesling Encore Noble does botrytis the way it's supposed to be done … “
- Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous,USA
95/100
“… The wine is just so delicious ….”
- Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, www.robertparker.com, USA
94/100

“… Lusciously sweet, full-bodied wine with vivid acidity which balances out the palate. Rather concentrated and complex wine with fascinating fragrance and aromatics.” 

- James Suckling Wine Reviews, www.jamessuckling.com, USA

2016

Trophy Sweet wine of the year WINESTATE, Australia
… A very elegant wine …. finely balanced and lasting
- Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, NZ
93/100
“ There is an impressive concentration of sugar and flavor in this botrytis riesling. Lime and peach fruits, as well as marmalade and dried apricots. Luscious and balanced” 
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
OUTSTANDING
“ … The freshness here is an utter delight, a lip-smacking edge to the gorgeously long close creates a superb sense of balance
- Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, NZ
96/100
“ … It’s wonderfully sweet and rich … the balance is superb and the finish lasts into next week.  Wow!
- Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, USA
92/100
“ … The taut focused palate is very well balanced, with a fine line of acidity …. Excellent
- Neal Martin, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, USA
96/100
Concentrated, luscious, … bush honey, pineapple, ginger and ripe peach … very lengthy finish
- Bob Campbell MW. bobcampbell.nz, NZ
19+/20
“ … concentrated core of ripe exotic fruit … delicious rich and near-unctuous concentrated Noble Riesling …. “
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ

2014

97/100
“ … This really is a delicious dessert wine.” 
- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbell.nz, NZ
18.5/20
“...sweet and decadent to taste and light-medium bodied, lusciously rich flavours of ripe, exotic tropical fruits and citrus fruits are melded with honey, marmalade, crystallised fruits and a little toffee.  …. This is a rich and luscious botrytis-affected sweet Riesling with layers of exotic fruits, marmalade and lifted florals, and a soft, near unctuous mouthfeel.  ….”.
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
Outstanding
“… exquisitely balanced with a delicious silkiness on the palate.  Great complexity and an absolute delight.” .
- Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, NZ
92+/100
“ …. rich, sweet and unctuous, … a wonderful backbone of refreshing acid and a finish that just goes on and on.” 
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, USA

2013

“ …. layers of flavour, lively acidity, and a sweet, lasting finish. .
- Winestate Magazine, AUS

2011

95/100
. . impressive purity and a lingering finish that refuses to quit . ."
- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbellwinereviews.com, NZ
19/20
“…Very rich and opulent, this is nectar-like with an unctuous and rounded mouthfeel. Decadent flavours of citrus fruits, marmalade, honey and toffee unfold in gentle waves, and the wine coats the palate. The fruit and botrytis show great presence and intensity. Lifted floral and VA elements cut the richness with fine, underlying acidity lending drive. The wine flows seamlessly to a soft, lush, very long, lingering finish. This is a rich and unctuous botrytised Riesling.
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ

2010

TOP TIP Golden in colour and honeyed on the nose this is classical dessert wine. The concentrated fruit in the palate shows lemon, citrus and a nudge of marmalade. Unctuous and everlasting. Yum.
- TizWine.com, NZ
This was the panel’s favourite wine in the New Release tasting. It just strikes that perfect balance between fruit sweetness and acidity making it the perfect dessert wine. Yum!
- Wine NZ magazine, NZ
91/100
“… has a profoundly scented nose of acacia honey, apricot preserves and orange marmalade with touches of frangipani and dried mango. Fully sweet, rich and viscous, it gives a satisfying tropical fruit and honey layers with a good line of enlivening acid and a long finish.”
- Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, USA 
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Pegasus Bay

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Off Licence.
Licence Holder:Donaldson Family Limited T/A:Pegasus Bay Winery.
Licence no:57/OFF/458/2022 Exp:16/3/2025