Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2022
Pegasus Bay is a leading winery in Canterbury, New Zealand—an increasingly recognised premium Pinot Noir region. The estate began when Ivan Donaldson planted his first vines in Canterbury in 1976, with the winery officially founded in 1986. Canterbury had already piqued my interest after hearing several sommeliers refer to it as an emerging premium Pinot Noir terroir; among its emblematic producers, Pegasus Bay stands out.
The vineyards lie in the Waipara Valley in northern Canterbury on the South Island. The vines are planted on north-facing terraces with excellent drainage, and a nearby mountain range shelters the vines from the cool Pacific winds blowing in from the east. Many of the vines are over 30 years old and remain on their own roots. Thanks to the naturally low fertility of the soils, vine vigour is kept in check, leading to lower yields but optimal ripeness, high quality, and intensely aromatic fruit.
Harvesting was carried out in stages across different blocks according to varying ripeness levels. Almost 40% of the fruit was placed as whole bunches at the bottom of the fermenters, while the destemmed berries—kept largely intact—were layered on top. A pre-fermentation cold soak was used to extract supple tannins, after which fermentation began. The cap was gently plunged twice daily, and after fermentation the wine was left on skins for an additional week to draw out a broader spectrum of tannins. Ageing took place in Burgundian barriques (30% new) for 15 months, underscoring the estate’s clear intention to craft a Burgundian-inspired style. After maturation, small lots from different plots and clones were blended to maximise complexity.
The vintage tasted was 2022—a remarkably expressive wine. From the moment the cork was pulled, captivating aromas unfurled straight from the bottle. The wine shows a hint of early development, displaying beautifully aromatic notes of ripe black cherry, raspberry, and violet, layered with earth, compost, hay, toast, roasted meat, leather, and wood. The winemaking intent toward complexity is unmistakable. Bright acidity and medium body come together harmoniously. Despite the evident ripeness from generous sunshine, the wine retains superb freshness. Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir evokes a sense of Vosne-Romanée with its elegance, complexity, and precision. It is a benchmark expression of premium New Zealand Pinot Noir—refined, multifaceted, and impeccably crafted.
