2015 Riesling ‘Aged Release’, Pegasus Bay

The Time Traveller’s Riesling

This is Riesling with a few glorious years under its belt, and it wears them beautifully. Pegasus Bay’s 2015 Aged Release sits in that magical space between brightness and evolution, where lime zest, mandarin, green apple and passionfruit begin to fold into honey, baked apple, ginger, petrol, beeswax and a flicker of warm spice. It is off-dry rather than sweet, with around 25g/l residual sugar, but the cool acidity and natural Riesling tension keep everything lifted, precise and wonderfully alive.

On the palate, it is rich but not heavy, silky but not soft, with citrus peel, kumquat, honeyed orchard fruit and crushed-stone minerality running through the finish. The age has brought complexity, that lovely Riesling whisper of kerosene and toastiness, but the wine still feels fresh, vibrant and full of energy. 

For when: you want a white wine that can do both dinner-table brilliance and quiet contemplation.
Pairs with: Thai green curry, pork belly, roast ham, duck, crab, aromatic vegetarian dishes, blue cheese or anything with chilli, ginger and lime.

Pegasus Bay is one of New Zealand’s great family-run estates, founded by the Donaldson family in the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury. The region’s long, dry autumns and cool nights are particularly well suited to Riesling, allowing fruit to build flavour while retaining vivid acidity. Pegasus Bay has become especially admired for its individual Riesling style, often using a portion of botrytised fruit to add texture, richness and layered complexity without losing freshness. Decanter has described Pegasus Bay as one of the few New Zealand producers deeply committed to Riesling, with a distinctive, rich style shaped over decades by the Donaldson family.