“Late-harvest muscat grapes. Fermentation stopped by the addition of pure alcohol. The result is sweet dessert wine that is pure and powerful. Quite sweet but not at all cloying. A pleasure to taste.”
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, NZ
Fortissimo
THE FAMILY
The Donaldson Family have been seriously involved in viticulture and winemaking for over 40 years. Founder Ivan Donaldson planted one of Canterbury’s first vineyards in 1976 and went on to establish Pegasus Bay in 1986 with his wife Christine. It is a true family business, with the second generation now actively involved.
THE VINEYARD AND VINES
The vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free draining, north facing terraces. It benefits from being in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, giving maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes and thus creating a unique mesoclimate. The vines are over 35 years old, with a large proportion planted on their own roots. They are located on the “Glasnevin Gravels” where greywacke stones, silt and loam have been washed down from the mountains over the millennia. The soil is of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of this unique terroir. The vineyard has warm days, but the nights are amongst the coolest in the Waipara Valley, drawing out the ripening period of the grapes, while still retaining good natural acidity.
THE SEASON
Settled weather during Spring resulted in successful flowering and a healthy fruit set, meaning crop thinning was needed in some areas. Good heat concentration in early to mid-Summer then allowed the grapes to ripen beautifully. The remainder of Summer and Autumn threw up a mix of hot days interspersed with cooler spells, although rain was sufficiently spread out to ensure the bunches remained healthy and disease free.
THE HARVEST AND WINEMAKING
Fortissimo is a part of our reserve series, and only created in very small volume. This is just the third edition since it was first launched in 2016. It was made using Muscat grapes, in a similar style to the famous fortified Beaumes de Vinise of France. The fruit was left to hang on the vines until the very end of the season, allowing maximum concentration. Fermentation was undertaken in stainless steel tanks and then stopped using the addition of a neutral spirit, to ensure the pure Muscat flavours have not been compromised. Winemaking was kept to a minimum to ensure varietal purity and allow the terroir of this unique region to fully express itself.
THE WINE
Light gold in colour, the bouquet besieges the nose with a mesmerising feast of exotic and fragrant tones. Suggestions of rose petal, Turkish delight and candied lemon peel recline seductively between flecks of grilled pineapple, quince paste and oriental musk. Powerfully expressive, the palate is rich and multilayered, with fine-tuned acidity and integrated sweetness that swell in the mouth and lead to a harmonious, spice laden finish.
NV
“This is instantly appealing on the nose showing dried apricot, rockmelon, pineapple and candied orange characters, followed by a wonderfully flavoursome palate offering delightful sweetness and juicy fruit intensity. Weighty and textural with a lingering refreshing finish.”
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, NZ
“Full, bright, ...The nose is alluring, softly filling the glass with aromas of lychee, stonefruit entwined with ginger and jasmine… The fruit is perfectly ripe and clean in flavour, shows purity and elegance. Jasmine and ginger added interest and layers, complementing the smooth flow and sweetness balance, linger to a rich, lengthy closing. This poised and pure expression of fortified Muscat possesses lychee, white nectarine aromas, delicate jasmine floral and ginger on a smooth, plush mouthfeel.”
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
“Aromatic bouquet with scents reminding me of preserved white fleshed fruits, poached pears and apples, white flowers and fragrant spices of the orient. Silky texture touches the palate first then a rush of warming alcohol contrasted by a core of fruit flavours, acidity and luscious exuberant finish.”
- Cameron Douglas MS, www.camdouglasms.com, NZ
“Similar in style to Muscat Beaumes de Venise, this distinctive, rare wine was handled in tanks and stop-fermented with the addition of neutral spirit. Pale gold, it is weighty, with vibrant, concentrated, peachy flavours, hints of oranges and honey, gentle acidity and a sweet, oily richness.”
- Michael Cooper, Winestate Magazine, AUS
2016
“Very exotic and varietal bouquet of Muscat with flowers and fruits, perfumes and talc’. Very fruity and sweet on the palate with contrasting acidity … Long finish”
- Cameron Douglas MS, www.camdouglasms.com, NZ
“Fortified muscat that's styled after Muscat de Beaumes de Venise from France's Rhône Valley … appealing wine with surprising purity and freshness”
- Bob Campbell MW, www.bobcampbell.nz, NZ
“… Very fine phenolics and soft, refined acidity … revealing mineral and smoke detail on the finish … “
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
