The Season

Budburst was early because the weather over that period was one of the warmest ever recorded. Late spring and early summer however, were unseasonably cool and cloudy, sufficiently slowing the development of the grapes to cause us concern. The skies then cleared and we had three to four months of unbroken sunshine. This enabled us to leave the fruit on the vine to attain excellent maturity and ripeness.

The Vineyard and the Vines

We have about a dozen different clones planted in pinot noir blocks. The vines, many of which are 25 years old and on their own roots, grow on a series of north facing, gradually descending terraces. While the site is warm during the day it is cool at night, which allows the fruit to ripen fully while retaining its good, natural acid levels. The drainage is helped by stones intermingled with the soil. The period of cooler weather, mentioned above, occurred over flowering and lead to naturally low crop levels, which has given the wine extra depth and concentration.

Harvest and Wine Making

We use traditional Burgundian winemaking methods. After picking in mid-late-April, the grapes, without their stems, were put into small fermenting vats, retaining as many whole berries as possible. They were kept cool over the next few days to help extract the soft, silky tannins from their skins. After this time the grapes had warmed enough to start fermenting. During fermentation the floating cap of grape skins was twice daily gently pushed back under the wine by hand to keep it moist and healthy. When the fermentation finished the vats were sealed and the grape remnants were left to steep in the wine for several weeks to help extract other tannins which add structure and depth. The duration of this period was determined by daily tasting. Subsequently the wine was drained off and put into oak barriques (30% new) from selected artisan Burgundian coopers. In the summer after harvest, when the weather warmed, the wine underwent malo-lactic (secondary) fermentation. Both this and the original fermentation phase were completely natural and without added micro-organisms. After maturing for 18 months in barriques the batches made from the many different plots of pinot were carefully blended in various portions according to taste to produce this wine.

The Wine

On release the wine has a deep carmine colour. The bouquet and flavours evoke impression of black cherries, purple plums, blackberries and raspberries. Beneath these is a savoury underlay of black olives, liquorice, grilled mushrooms and proscuitto. There is a dense core of ripe fruit which is coated with fine-grained, velvety tannins. It is robust, but refined and savoury/spicy overtones linger in the after-taste. Although it is ready to drink on release, with careful cellaring it will become more complex and multifaceted over the next 6-8 years and live well beyond.

Download Tasting Note


Awarded Super Classic Status.
- Michael Cooper's Buyer’s Guide, NZ
"The flight of Pegasus Bay Pinot Noirs continued to illustrate their burgundy influence, the reds often reminiscent of Morey-saint-Denis".
- Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, USA
"Felton Road, along with Pegasus Bay has been my favourite pinot producer in New Zealand for years."
- Steve Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, USA

2021

96/100
Superbly complex and enticing Silky-smooth and multi-layered with loads of delectable flavours.” 
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
95/100
Intense pinot noir with cassis, blackberry, black cherry, spicy oak, dark chocolate and ripe plum flavours .. appealing purity and nicely layered flavours that linger long after the wine has been swallowed.” 
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, NZ

2020

This is one of North Canterbury's greatest Pinot Noirs … . rich, complex and very savoury. A youthful, harmonious red … ”
- Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooperwines.co.nz, NZ

“… Its distinctive boldness and complex flavours make this a wine to sip and savour … Drinking beautifully now and it has the structure to age a lot longer. A keeper.”

- Joelle Thomson, www.joellethomson.com, NZ
91/100
The 2020 Pinot Noir is a mouthfeel, combining ripeness and fruit concentration with the cool climate tension of the Waipara Valley … There’s plenty of fruit weight here and an abundance of fine-grained tannins in the context of Pinot Noir, providing a sturdy frame for this wine to evolve.  Give it time in bottle.”
- Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, USA
95/100
“… deliciously savoury … There is concentration in the mid-palate that pushes the palate through to a generous finish. Deep and complex.”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, www.jamessuckling.com, USA
94/100
Moreish and delicious in equal doses, the delicacy and generosity of these Pegasus Bay Pinots are captivating … . A divine mouth perfume clings to a persistent finish calling you back for more, an invitation that is hard to resist. Great stuff!
- Stephen Leszcynski, Qwine, www.qwinesreviews.com, AUS

“Pinot noir is characterised as the most cerebral of grapes, but always in combination with the pure sensual pleasure it gives. Both are embodied in the complex and concentrated Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2020. Powered by a thrilling line of acidity ….”

- Jo Burzynska, Viva magazine, NZ
94/100
Rich, mouth-filling red … Complex, generously proportioned and slightly rustic wine that is certainly approachable now but should mellow nicely with bottle age."
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, NZ
95/100
“Superbly complex … Silky-smooth and multi-layered with loads of delectable flavours.” 
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
18.5+/20
“…This is a rich, dark-toned Pinot Noir packed with earth, savoury elements, and a silky, fragranced palate.” 
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ

2019

New Zealand Top 50 Wines
“… an elegant Pinot Noir … A really intriguing meaty-savoury nose … It’s ripe and concentrated but well balanced, with a good tart finish."
- The Wine Merchant magazine, UK
18.5/20
“Pegasus Bay winemaker Mat Donaldson and his team made this exceptional Pinot Noir, which expresses both vineyard and climate of North Canterbury … This drinks well now and will evolve for at least a decade”
- Joelle Thomson, Drinksbiz Magazine, NZ
92/100
“There is a lovely aromatic lift here … There is richness and warmth but also sinuous outlines with freshness alongside a velvety texture. The finish is generous, seductive, complex with exquisite depth.”
- Anne Krebiehl MW, Austria
96/100

Gorgeously styled and seductively complex `The concentrated palate offers outstanding power and drive … impressively long and expansive.”

- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
96/100
“Lots of ripe strawberries with some citrus and cream. Some meat, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with round, ripe tannins and a delicious, juicy finish.”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, www.jamessuckling.com, USA
94/100
Ripe, concentrated, varietal and complex … Youthful, vibrant and promising. On the palate - delicious! … ” Wood spices with fine through firm tannins building power and length.”
- Cameron Douglas MS, camdouglasms.com, NZ
19/20
“…This is a charmingly fragranced Pinot Noir with flavours of floral, black fruit and earth with concentration and finesse.”
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
95/100
“ … Complex pinot noir … Dark berry, cassis, violet, mixed spice, new leather and spicy oak flavours supported by firm, ripe tannins.” 
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, AUS & NZ

2018

92/100
“… concentrated and muscular, … Unlike many New Zealand Pinot Noirs, I expect this will last well beyond a decade.
- Joe Czerwinski, www.robertparker.com, USA
19/20
“…a great expression of North Canterbury Pinot Noir … stands head and shoulders above many others from this vintage …”
- Joelle Thomson, Drinksbiz magazine, NZ
95/100
“ … More elegant than the usual blockbuster style … A supple, medium-bodied pinot noir that is accessible now but should develop well with bottle age.”
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, AUS & NZ
16.5/20
“…Highly aromatic … Well-structured Pinot all in balance to age well, with a long spicy tail …” 
- Julia Harding, www.jancisrobinson.com, UK

2017

95/100
“… this is definitely not your average bright and breezy Pinot.  It’s serious …”
- Oz Clarke, www.threewinemen.co.uk, UK
94/100
“…Spicy and long with joyous persistence, it's hard not to be captivated by the weight. A super impressive wine.” 
- Steve Leszczynski, www,qwinereivews.com, AUS
95/100
“ … A robust and slightly rustic wine that's a pleasure to taste.”
- Bob Campbell MW, www.bobcampbell.nz, NZ
95/100
“ … wonderfully fruited and gorgeously styled … excellent weight and powermouthfilling and delectable with seductive complexity”.
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Wine Orbit, wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
“ … Mouthfilling, sweet-fruited, savoury and supple … oak complexity and a rich, smooth finish.”
- Michael Cooper, michaelcooper.co.nz, NZ
94/100
“… youthful and complex pinot … a very succulent and vibrant feel … So youthful and powerful, this is another great Pegasus Bay pinot.
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA

2016

92/100

“ … it’s clear that this is an elegant, medium weight style with a precise structure …”

- Decanter Magazine, UK
94/100

“Wild herbs, bracken, red fruits … dense, succulent and seamlessly polished …Long and taut.  Needs time.”

- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
92/100

“ … a silky feel and a lingering finish that echoes with attractive tea-like nuances.”

- Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, USA
95/100

“ … dark fruit richness as well as savoury undertones … awesome power and concentrationstylish and structuredexpansive and velvety, finishing persistent and engaging.”

- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
94/100

“Dense, seamless and flavoursome pinot noir … Distinctive wine which is an expression of variety, place and winemaking …”

- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbell.nz, NZ

2015

96/100
Super vibrant with plenty of earthy forest floor aromas as well as toasted spices.  The palate reveals a core of pristine dark cherry fruit flavor, beautifully judged ripe tannins and a level of effortless depth that singles this out as a consistently great New Zealand pinot noir.
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
94/100
“A bouquet filled with raw energy, Pinosity and an abundance of individuality … Long finish. Very Pegasus Bay
- Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
“Boldly aromatic …. The finish is long and generous. Plenty of potential here ….”
- Winestate magazine, AUS
95/100
“Intense, youthful …elegant wine with power and a lingering finish …”
- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbell.nz, NZ
19+/20
“ ...A beautifully elegant and harmonious, vibrant and bright-fruited Pinot Noir …”
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
94/100
“...Sense of deliciousness from the first sip, Effortless. Proper pinot”
- Gary Walsh, The Winefront, AUS

2014

96/100
Top equal wine in a tasting of 2014 NZ Pinot Noirs  Wow! Fabulous, complex bouquet of broody dark red berries, layers of mineral and savoury whole-bunch and dried herb nuances. Juicy, lush, generous and complex on the palate, with generous oak and ripe, very fine tannins.
- Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.blogspot.co.nz, NZ
96/100
Rich, weighty, ripe pinot noir with a dense, almost syrupy texture and plum jam, liquorice, Christmas cake flavours. Big and slightly rustic wine with pleasing complexity. It has a suggestion of old vine density with underlying power and a lengthy finish.
- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbell.nz, NZ
94/100
“…A very fresh and concentrated edition of this majestic pinot noir. This is bathed in dark cherry fruits, earth and spices, and there's a meaty depth and plenty of forest bracken too. The tannins are long and grainy, and carry rich dark cherry-plum fruit flavors long” 
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA

2013

94/100
“ … It’s a wine of undeniable personality and charisma, as ever..." 
- Gary Walsh, winefront.com.au. AUS
95/100
NZ Pinot Noir Tasting among 1 of 7 rated as “Outstanding” 
- Decanter magazine, UK
96/100
“…Appealing, ripe and quite concentrated pinot noir … A supremely elegant wine with an intriguing rustic edge
- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbell.nz, NZ
19/20
“… The rich flavours are mouthfilling and carry to a long, lingering finish.  This is a rich, vibrant and mouthfilling, complex-detailed Pinot Noir … fine-grained, well-structured palate.”
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
Excellent to Outstanding
“… Deceptively powerful wine that dances on the palate … Delicious.” .
- Otago Daily Times, NZ
96/100
#1 wine under $80   “ … enticingly refined and elegantly understated … a masterfully crafted expression of a remarkable site” 
- Tyson Stelzer, Australian & New Zealand Wines of the Year 2017
18.5/20
“…has the ability to live a long and beautiful life … .  It’s a keeper. (And is consistently among my top five South Island Pinot Noirs.)” 
- Joelle Thomson, Drinksbiz Magazine, NZ

2012

18.5/20
"The oak control is phenomenal, showing more elegance and sophistication than hundreds of Burgundies”
- Matthew Jukes, UK

93/100
Pegasus Bay is the flagship winery of Waipara, yet the wines remain realistically priced. Plum, cola and cherry notes are accompanied by strongly umami sensations akin to mushroom and roasted beef, giving this wine ample complexity. While the wine is concentrated, it has an airy, graceful feel to it. Drink 2016–2024.
- Wine Enthusiast, USA

96/100
A sense of real depth, soothing dark cherry notes, some forest floor and deeply knitted oak. The palate has noble tannins and the sort of structural complexity and completeness that is the envy of most other NZ Pinot Noir makers” .
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
93/100
Full-flavoured Pinot Noir with plum, spice, glazed cherry, floral/violet and a hint of savoury and mineral character. Mouth-filling wine with obvious power and a lengthy finish. A consistently top wine.
- Bob Campbell MW, NZ

2011

94/100
“Fine, fresh, vivid and interesting with an assertive cherry fruit nose. Lovely supple, elegant palate shows nice precision. Lovely sweet fruit combined with spicy structure”.
- Jamie Goode, wineanorak.com, UK
93/100
Lifted spicy cherry fruit on the nose with higher tones of raspberry coulis and cranberry…. Lively and driven on the palate, the red fruits show supporting characters of Asian spice and a waft of forest floor. Roast game, red licorice, milk chocolate and spicy oak complete the picture. Great line, lively acidity and a balanced, lingering finish".
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
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Pegasus Bay

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Off Licence.
Licence Holder:Donaldson Family Limited T/A:Pegasus Bay Winery.
Licence no:57/OFF/458/2022 Exp:16/3/2025