TOP NEW ZEALAND SWEET WINE

Tupari Late Harvest Riesling 2018 Marlborough

-5 $34 ★★★★★

TUPARI IS THE Māori word for ‘cliff’, appropriate as their vineyards sit at an altitude of 150-200 metres and boast some of the best views in the Awatere subregion of Marlborough. The riesling block, from which this wine’s grapes originate, is on a thin terrace which stretches along the top of the cliff face. This location makes the most of the warm days and cool nights in the region and these conditions allow the grapes to create the complex flavours in the wine.

In 2018, weather conditions favoured the creation of a late-harvest riesling and the grapes were left to hang on the vine for an additional month after the other grapes had been harvested, allowing noble rot to develop. The botrytis shrivelled and concentrated the flavours in the grape and once they were at their optimum they were hand picked and carefully fermented.

The result is a lusciously sweet dessert wine with more than 200 grams of residual sugar; however make no mistake, despite its high residual sugar count this wine is in no way cloying. The superb acid

provides a wonderful balance between the concentration of botrytised sweetness.

In the glass the colour is a fresh and bright light-green straw colour. The nose has stunning riesling notes underpinned with clean, expressive botrytised honey, marmalade, dried apricot and nutty liftednougat characters. The concentrated flavour culminates in a lengthy satisfying finish.

2 / Tinpot Hut 2017 Marlborough Late Harvest Riesling

★★★★ - 9 $27

Slight beeswax, honeyed, toastedalmond characters on the nose represent pristine botrytis with ripe stone fruit adding intriguing and richness. An elegant sticky with apricot kernel, grapefruit pith and phenolics which provide a perfect counterbalance to the vibrant acid present.

3 / Jackson Estate Botrytis Riesling 2018 Marlborough ★★★★ - 10 $45

Pungent, toasty aromas of dried raisin, apricot and beeswax and dried florals on the nose denote a dense expression of this fully botrytised style of wine. Deftly handled by the winemaker to bring all that is great about riesling and its hallmark of acidity to the fore. A lovely, clean, expressive example.

Saving Grace Noble Riesling 2019 (Waipara)

★★★★ - 10 $28

Tinpot Hut 2018 Marlborough Late Harvest Riesling

★★★★ - 6 $27