Tasting Notes
Pegasus Bay is an award-winning, family-owned winery based on the South Island of New Zealand in Waipara Valley. The Donaldson family produce their Pinot Noir using classic Burgundian techniques resulting in a French style Burgundy but with New Zealand Pinot Noir depth and body, the best of both worlds. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate describes it as "often reminiscent of Morey-Saint-Denis".
Pegasus Bay summarises the vineyard and why it produces such high quality grapes: "Within the Waipara Valley Pegasus Bay vineyard gets maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes by being tucked up under the lee of the Teviotdale Range. Its sheltered position, but proximity to the sea, give it warm days, cool nights and a dry autumn, resulting in a very prolonged ripening period. This promotes intense flavour development and optimal ripeness, while retaining good natural acidity." Pegasus Bay practises sustainable viticulture, using natural methods to counteract pest and diseases rather than applying pesticides and herbicides.
I am rarely if ever disappointed in Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir and I wrote about in 2017 that I thought the wine gets more and more elegant as the years pass by. At an online wine tasting with the vineyard in summer 2021 I learned that this has been intentional, the aim being to move away from what used to be a big, "muscular" style of Pinot tasting of black fruits to a more vibrant, perfumed Pinot tasting of red fruits and with softer tannins. This 2018 vintage is one of the most elegant yet and more Burgundian in style than some previous vintages.
Food Pairing
Recommended to eat with chicken, duck, goose, pigeon, liver, beef steak, venison, spicy dishes, mushrooms, cherries and figs.
Producer's Notes
"Upon release the wine is bright ruby in colour. On the nose there is a brooding melange of dark cherry, boysenberry, and poached plums, interlaced with spicy notes and a hint of potpourri. The palate is classically structured and refined, with a plush texture and sumptuous mouthfeel. Ripe velvety tannins work harmoniously alongside well-balanced acidity, setting up for a long and persistent finish."
Awards
19/20 Drinksbiz magazine
“…a great expression of North Canterbury Pinot Noir … stands head and shoulders above many others from this vintage …”
95 points BobCampbell.nz
"More elegant than the usual blockbuster style … A supple, medium-bodied pinot noir that is accessible now but should develop well with bottle age.”
16.5/20 JancisRobinson.com
“…Highly aromatic … Well-structured Pinot … all in balance to age well, with a long spicy tail …”
92 Points RobertParker.com
“… concentrated and muscular, … Unlike many New Zealand Pinot Noirs, I expect this will last well beyond a decade.”
