2023 Bel Canto Dry Riesling, Pegasus Bay

North Canterbury, New Zealand

Pegasus Bay is a pioneering, family-owned estate in the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, established by the Donaldson family in the 1980s. With a strong focus on sustainable viticulture and low-intervention winemaking, the estate has gained international recognition for producing wines of depth, structure, and individuality.

‘Bel Canto’ is a reserve-style expression crafted only in exceptional vintages, where the grapes are allowed extended hang time and often develop noble botrytis. This approach, along with wild fermentation and ageing on lees, allows the wine to develop remarkable texture, intensity, and age-worthiness while retaining freshness and vibrancy.

The 2023 ‘Bel Canto’ opens with a luminous golden hue, hinting at the richness and concentration to come. Aromatically dynamic, the wine bursts with a vibrant interplay of tropical and citrus notes, pineapple, mango, and orange blossom lead the charge, followed by layers of quince, kumquat, and a subtle minerality reminiscent of wet river stones. On the palate, it strikes a beautiful balance between generosity and precision. A plush, textural mid-palate is enlivened by a cheeky whip of acidity and ripe phenolic grip, giving the wine both structure and energy. These elements funnel together into a persistent, mouthwatering finish that lingers with both elegance and intensity.

Whats in the bottle
100% Riesling

Notable Awards
Bob Campbell MW (The Real Review): Scored it 93 points

£26.95
Taxes included.

Complete the look:

Riedel Veritas Riesling / Zinfandel - Set of 2

£49.95

  • Producer Information
  • Winemaking
  • Tech Stuff

Pegasus Bay is one of New Zealand’s most esteemed family-owned wineries, located in the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury. Founded in 1986 by Ivan and Christine Donaldson, who were among the pioneers of viticulture in the region, the estate has remained a true family affair, with all four of their sons actively involved in its operation today.

The vineyard is situated on north-facing, free-draining terraces in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, which offers natural shelter from coastal winds and creates a unique mesoclimate ideal for grape growing. The soils, known as the Glasnevin Gravels, are a blend of greywacke stones, silt, and loam, washed down over millennia, and are naturally low in fertility. This encourages deep root growth and low yields, resulting in fruit of exceptional concentration and character. The climate, with warm days and cool nights, ensures extended ripening and excellent natural acidity.

Pegasus Bay is renowned for producing complex, age-worthy wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Riesling, along with richly textured Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Their wines are widely acclaimed both domestically and internationally for their balance, depth, and strong sense of place.

After an extended hang time, the bunches were hand-selected with a portion of botrytis and a ripeness of approximately 25.5 Brix. The free run juice was then fermented slowly at cool temperatures to help the wine retain its vibrant fruit characters and varietal purity. Alcoholic fermentation was left to continue until dryness was achieved. At all stages, the wine was handled very carefully to help retain a little of its natural carbon dioxide. This has resulted in a small amount of spritzig, which adds extra liveliness to the wine and accentuates its freshness.

Grape
Riesling

Vintage
2023

Country
New Zealand

Size
750ml

Types
White Wine

Producer
Pegasus bay

Region
North Canterbury

Sub-Region
Waipara

2023 Bel Canto Dry Riesling, Pegasus Bay

£26.95

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