2023 Palliser Estate Riesling, Martinborough

Medium-dry riesling with lime, white wildflowers, oyster shell and pineapple flavours supported by tangy acidity. Subtle sweetness and vibrant acidity give the wine a pleasing tension. Delicious now but will mellow with bottle age. 09 Aug 2023 Drink 2023–2030

93 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com

Palliser Estate Riesling from Martinborough is a beautifully expressive and finely tuned white that shows just how well Riesling can thrive in this cool southern corner of New Zealand’s North Island. Known for producing elegant wines with a distinct sense of place, Palliser has long been one of the region’s benchmark estates. Their Riesling is a brilliant example of the finesse and precision that defines both the variety and the estate’s winemaking approach.

The fruit is grown in the stony, free-draining soils of the Martinborough Terrace, where long daylight hours and cool nights preserve natural acidity while allowing flavour development to occur slowly. The result is a wine that balances vibrant citrus and floral characters with fine minerality and energy.

In the glass, you’ll find lifted aromas of lime blossom, green apple and honeysuckle, followed by juicy notes of mandarin, white peach and lemon curd on the palate. There’s a clean, slatey line of acidity running right through the wine, finishing dry and persistent with a whisper of spice and crushed stone.

This Riesling is incredibly versatile at the table. It shines alongside dishes like Thai green curry, sashimi with wasabi and yuzu, or a classic pork roast with apple sauce. Drink it now for its crystalline purity or cellar it for five to eight years to allow the complexity and secondary notes to build.