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
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