Wow this stuff just rocks. The 2006 is just slightly drier than usual, and just slightly finer and more focused without losing the razzle dazzle zany flavours that all Peg Bay fans long for! Good amount of acid suggests this vintage will cellar well. All the usual flavours - citrus, honey, shurburt, lemon, razor sharp, lovely weight and palate feel, and a little spritzeg in the mouth.
As an aside I downed a 2002 version last night and it was just gorgeous. Big fan of this wine and it is only $20ish so im also a big buyer.
TN: New release 2006 Pegasus Bay Riesling
TN: New release 2006 Pegasus Bay Riesling
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
Graig,
I think Pegasus Bay Riesling has lost its way in the last few years. Ive been cellaring it for many years and tend to drink when 4yrs old. The last few vintages ( 01,02) have got sweeter and sweeter. Years ago they were crisper wines with more freshness, good summer drinking with some age, the last 2 vintages are almost desert wines.
Everybody is different in what they want from a wine. From 2004 i have stopped purchasing Pegasus Bay. Fiddlers Green Riesling, also from Waipara is my choice now. I have had a number of bottles from different vintages and they have been better drinking for me than the Pegasus Bay.
The Fiddlers Green cost $15 bottle which is some what cheaper than Pegasus at $25 . I have not changed on price (this is a bit of a bonus) but on style.
Geoffrey
I think Pegasus Bay Riesling has lost its way in the last few years. Ive been cellaring it for many years and tend to drink when 4yrs old. The last few vintages ( 01,02) have got sweeter and sweeter. Years ago they were crisper wines with more freshness, good summer drinking with some age, the last 2 vintages are almost desert wines.
Everybody is different in what they want from a wine. From 2004 i have stopped purchasing Pegasus Bay. Fiddlers Green Riesling, also from Waipara is my choice now. I have had a number of bottles from different vintages and they have been better drinking for me than the Pegasus Bay.
The Fiddlers Green cost $15 bottle which is some what cheaper than Pegasus at $25 . I have not changed on price (this is a bit of a bonus) but on style.
Geoffrey
Geoffrey, you've emerged. Where the hell have you been?
Good to hear your thoughts on the Peg Bay. Apart from the yellow label wines made by Peg Bay; Prima Donna, Maestro, Finale etc., I think the Main Divide are much better value and, more often than not, more appealing.
On the rieslings, the '06 is a bit different. I was with Matt Donaldson a couple of weeks ago and we proceeded to taste from barrels and tanks for hours. Indeed, as Craig highlights, the '06 is a different beast to more recent peg bay rieslings. I found it leaner, with more structure and mineral than previous efforts, and there is less residual sugar too. Not nearly as approachable in its youth as the '05, nor the '06 main divide, but I think this may be heading back to the style you appreciated years ago. Definitely a keeper.
There is no doubt that Waipara is the hub for quality riesling in New Zealand. Look out for the riesling coming out under Mike Weersing from Pyramid Valley in the Waikari, just inland of Waipara. One of the best examples of a German spatlese style I've had in NZ. Craig, you'll wet yourself. He's establishing a mailing list. PM if you want his email.
Cheers,
Good to hear your thoughts on the Peg Bay. Apart from the yellow label wines made by Peg Bay; Prima Donna, Maestro, Finale etc., I think the Main Divide are much better value and, more often than not, more appealing.
On the rieslings, the '06 is a bit different. I was with Matt Donaldson a couple of weeks ago and we proceeded to taste from barrels and tanks for hours. Indeed, as Craig highlights, the '06 is a different beast to more recent peg bay rieslings. I found it leaner, with more structure and mineral than previous efforts, and there is less residual sugar too. Not nearly as approachable in its youth as the '05, nor the '06 main divide, but I think this may be heading back to the style you appreciated years ago. Definitely a keeper.
There is no doubt that Waipara is the hub for quality riesling in New Zealand. Look out for the riesling coming out under Mike Weersing from Pyramid Valley in the Waikari, just inland of Waipara. One of the best examples of a German spatlese style I've had in NZ. Craig, you'll wet yourself. He's establishing a mailing list. PM if you want his email.
Cheers,
Max
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Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
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Avant d’être bon, un vin doit être vrai
Peg Bay Riesling I buy every year. Love every vintage ive tried and more importantly so do my mates. Just so zany, weighty; serious but not too serious - its packed full of flavour.
It might not cellar 10+ years but really it will have little chance to around my house.
Main Divide Riesling rocks too. Slightly more open style but all the same sort of zany flavours. The 04 wasnt that great but every other vintage has been a treat.
It might not cellar 10+ years but really it will have little chance to around my house.
Main Divide Riesling rocks too. Slightly more open style but all the same sort of zany flavours. The 04 wasnt that great but every other vintage has been a treat.
Follow me on Vivino for tasting notes Craig Thomson
Somewhat ironic that my first post here is actually on a NZ wine when I joined this forum to mainly discuss wines from across the ditch.
Just tasted this today and agree with Craig this stuff seriously rocks perfect balance and enough acidty to carry this for 8 to 10 IMHO, if you can keep your hands off it for that long.
Just tasted this today and agree with Craig this stuff seriously rocks perfect balance and enough acidty to carry this for 8 to 10 IMHO, if you can keep your hands off it for that long.
I got a look at the 06 this morning, not yet released on this side of the ditch. Nice wine. I'm thinking in a German context here, its akin to Spatlese from a really ripe year like 03. Love the fresh, zesty, apple blossom fruit profile and the minerally bits, but I'd like to see a little more acid to go with the 20g/l RS.
Orright guys, I'm into this, need to seek out some Main Divide - I know where there is some 04.
Also tried the rest fo the range
05 SBS, lovely drop, just enough funk,fat and ferment in the Semillon component to fill out the SB part, this is a smart wine.
03 Pinot: In the dry red style.
03 Prima Donna: Phwoar, some power and concentration here! Love to throw this blind into a lineup of Burgundies, it would pass for a good Cote de Beaune or NSG.
04? Botrytis Riesling: lime passionfruit, quite pure with lust the slightest musky edge. Lvoely lightness and balance.
04? Botrytis Chardonnay: A bit challenging for me, peaty, mossy, superripe buttered peaches.
Was pondering how many to get when almost all fo the stock of both Botrytis wines was whipped out from under my nose!
Oh well.
AB
Orright guys, I'm into this, need to seek out some Main Divide - I know where there is some 04.
Also tried the rest fo the range
05 SBS, lovely drop, just enough funk,fat and ferment in the Semillon component to fill out the SB part, this is a smart wine.
03 Pinot: In the dry red style.
03 Prima Donna: Phwoar, some power and concentration here! Love to throw this blind into a lineup of Burgundies, it would pass for a good Cote de Beaune or NSG.
04? Botrytis Riesling: lime passionfruit, quite pure with lust the slightest musky edge. Lvoely lightness and balance.
04? Botrytis Chardonnay: A bit challenging for me, peaty, mossy, superripe buttered peaches.
Was pondering how many to get when almost all fo the stock of both Botrytis wines was whipped out from under my nose!
Oh well.
AB
Craig(NZ) wrote:I bought a dozen. I have 6 left a week later!!
Haha that about sums this wine up I brought 14 and I'm putting 12 away for about 3 - 5 I'm going to have to buy some more because I've already polished off my two other bottles this weekend.
Drinking beautifully now and the perfect accompaniment to green chicken curry or probably just about anything else I've decided.
