Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2020

Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling

Region: Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, New Zealand

Vintage: 2020

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Riesling

ABV: 14%

Upon release it has a pale gold hue.  Tantalising aromas of flint and citrus blossom erupt from the glass, spliced with undertones of apricot, kaffir lime leaf and kumquat, swathed in a quartzy minerality.  The palate is fresh and lively, a rich mouthfeel backed by invigorating acidity that creates a pleasing tension.  Structured yet oozing with finesse, it delivers a long, focused finish. 

The vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free draining, north facing terraces. It benefits from being in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, giving maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes and thus creating a unique mesoclimate. The vines are over 30 years old, with a large proportion planted on their own roots. They are located on the “Glasnevin Gravels” where greywacke stones, silt and loam have been washed down from the mountains over the millennia. The soil is of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of this unique terroir.

The Donaldson family have been immersed in the wine industry since the early 1970s and were pioneers of local grape growing and wine making. Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist, Ivan Donaldson, first became interested in wine when his girlfriend at the time, Christine, gave him a book simply called - ‘Wine’. Penned by English industry legend, Hugh Johnson, the book started Ivan on an exciting journey, that has never stopped. After travelling to explore the wine regions of Europe, Ivan returned home to plant one of the first vineyards of modern times in Canterbury… and to marry Christine, who has been an integral part of the Pegasus Bay story.

https://www.pegasusbay.com