The superb 2006 Riesling has an attractive, relatively phenolic nose with touches of beeswax, kerosene, honey and peony. Good definition but it demands some coaxing from the glass. The palate is concentrated with good acidity, quite viscous in texture with very good definition. Honeyed and very Germanic on the finish with outstanding length, this put many a New Zealand Riesling in the shade. Palliser Estate is one of Martinborough’s respected names, its first vines planted back in 1984. They presently have 85 hectares under vine with new Pinot Noir Dijon clones (115 and 667) beginning to add more complexity. The winemaker is Allan Johnson, who has overseen the winemaking since 1991 and was voted New Zealand Winemaker of the Year in 2002. Due to time restraints I was unable to visit the estate, so the following notes were all taken single blind in Martinborough and the quality in their superb Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir shone brightly.Importer, Negociants USA, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 259-0993; fax (707) 259-1510