The 2007 Riesling is much better: a fragrant nose, floral and peachy at first, redolent of a Rheingau rather than a Mosel, a little beeswax and honeysuckle coming through, a hint of petrol in the background. The palate is well balanced with good weight, not quite as complex as the nose might suggest, but with some lovely rosewater, white peach, citrus and lime notes on the finish. I might actually give this a few months’ bottle age. I stumbled across Paritua at a public tasting in London and was mightily impressed by their wines (since re-tasted single blind from samples.) Established in 2001 by two Americans, Brianne and Gary Fisher who fell in love with Hawkes Bay, they farm 150 acres in the Ngatawara Triangle and though produced in small quantities, are well worth seeking out.Importer: Oceania Wine Group, New York, NY

More and more New Zealand Rieslings are being made in this relatively high alcohol (12%) style, yet still retaining some residual sugar (in this case, 17 g/l). The result is a rather broad, soft wine, with honey and melon flavors and a very easy finish. Drink now.——J.C.(9/1/2009)—— 88