The 2008 Riesling was made with about 70% botrytis infected fruit – an unusually high proportion. As a result, it has more alcohol and weight than normal for this wine. It certainly has a very expressive nose, with pronounced honey and musk notes over warm grapefruit and orange blossom plus a whiff of damp earth. The positive effects of the botrytis really come through on the palate with a good amount of sweetness and crisp acid, finishing long and layered. Drinking now, it should cellar to 2019+.
The Donaldson family initially planted vines at this Waipara estate in 1986, at first with a whole fruit salad of vines including a mix of Bordeaux varietals. With the benefit of trial and error, now the focus at Pegasus Bay is on Riesling and Pinot Noir. Husband and wife team, Lynnette Hudson and Matt Donaldson, are the dynamic duo heading-up winemaking these days and, as the notes of the verticals of back vintages I tasted with them will attest, the wines from this commendable estate not only have staying power, they just get better and better.
Importer: Empson USA, Alexandria, VA.