The 2023 Alea Riesling leads with roasted pineapple, green apples, hints of lychee and juniper, lemon oil and coriander. The fruit is a little quieter this year, but it's no less "present." It is a beautiful wine, fleshy and soft, but it still remains tethered to the tracks of very fine, very firm acidity. 12.5% alcohol. RP
Alea holds some additional sweetness as its canon. There's an appealing and ultra-high drinkability here. Charm in spades. Floral scents of frangipani and lemon blossom with candied ginger, lime juice, just-ripe pineapple and tonic water. Similar to taste with a slipperiness to texture that feels well metered by the building crispness of the finish. More tonic and pleasing, quinine-like bitterness in juicy lime, red apple, pineapple and gingery flavours, too. Even, balanced, cool fringes and an appealing, transparent glassiness overall. JH