The
wines of Pegasus Bay
Notable Riesling specialist from New Zealand's Waipara region
Website: www.pegasusbay.com
Head north out of Christchurch and within
30 minutes or so you’ll hit the Waipara wine region. We’re half
way down the South Island here, so the climate is quite cool.
Fortunately the region is protected from the chilly ocean winds by a
small mountain range, or viticulture here would be even more
difficult than it already is: some years flowering can still be
badly affected by cool weather and windy conditions, and then yields
can be tiny.
But this is a pretty good place to grow
wine grapes. The soils are free draining, rich in gravel and stones,
and naturally low in fertility. You might not get huge yields, but
you get great high-end wines.
Pegasus Bay is owned by the Donaldson
family, and winemaking is in the hands of Matthew Donaldson (son of
the founder) and his wife Lynnette Hudson. The speciality here is
Riesling, which is superb, but they also make highly regarded Pinot
Noir.
UK agent is New Generation Wines
THE
WINES
Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Semillon 2008
Waipara
Reductive mineral nose. Lovely fresh green herby palate. Lively
stuff. 86/100
Pegasus Bay Chardonnay 2008 Waipara
Complex, herby and pithy with lovely fresh, taut fruit and
subtle toastiness. Complex, taut and savoury with lots of potential.
92/100
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2008 Waipara
Elegant, berryish and taut with some dark cherry fruit. Nicely
savoury with some minerality. A fresh style. 91/100
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling
2009 Waipara
Taut herb and lime nose is very fine. The palate has a lovely
herby, lemony, pithy character. Quite distinctive and expressive.
Lovely intensity. 93/100
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2008 Waipara
Lovely aromatics: lime, honey, melon and herbs. Off-dry palate
is full textured with lime, melon and spice notes. Very rich and
exotic, showing real purity. 93/100
Pegasus Bay Aria Late-Picked Riesling
2008 Waipara
Beautifully lively and expressive showing rich, sweet melon and
lemon fruit. Peachy and full with dense, spicy, textured, exotic
fruit. Lovely wine. 94/100
Pegasus Bay Encore Noble Riesling 2008
Waipara
Really pure and exotic with taut super-sweet, lively grapefruit
and citrus notes. Lovely freshness and piercing acidity. Very lively
and pure. 92/100
Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Chardonnay
2008 Waipara
Deep gold/bronze colour. Intense and lively, and slightly
volatile. Notes of apple, pear, spice and raisin. Very sweet. 89/100
See
also:
Visiting
Central Otago, New Zealand (series)
Visiting
Martinborough, New Zealand (series)
Wines
tasted 01/11
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