Indent

Pegasus Bay Minuetto Sauvignon Semillon 2021

Bordeaux style white with a , lemon-straw hue, tropical fruit notes and a richly textured mouthfeel.

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Tasting Notes

Pegasus Bay Minuetto Sauvignon Semillon 2021

"Fabulous colour and bouquet of intensity and complexity, wax and peach, lemon and
flowers, nettles and lees, peach and pineapple. A fabulous texture and intensity on the palate, fruit tannins and wild ferment flavours create a palate of intrigue and complexity. As the wine opens out in glass flavours of honeysuckle and apple emerge, a complex and lengthy wine with a salivating mouthfeel and finish." 96 Points, Cameron Douglas MS, www.camdouglasms.com

"Bright, even, pale yellow gold. This has a striking lifted bouquet, packed with aromas of stuck-match overlying citrus, tropical fruit, roasted nuts and baked herbs. Full-bodied, aromas of lemon, lime and citrus preserve intermix guava, salted pineapple and cardamom, unfolding smoke, nut loaf and dried basil. Fine-textured phenolics flow on a creamy lanolin-like mouthfeel, boosting texture; the smoky struck-match nuance enriches and is well-proportioned and lifted. Enlivening acidity cuts through the richness and carries a lengthy, exuberant finish. The first edition of Minuetto in the Reserve range, with 60% Sauvignon Blanc mostly fermented in stainless steel, 1/3 whole bunch, and aged on skins for 200 days. 40% Semillon fermented in oak puncheons. Both varieties were aged on lees for 10 months prior to blending and further aged in bottles for 18 months before release." 19+/20, Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

"Still full of youthful energy, the debut 2021 vintage is an estate-grown blend of Sauvignon Blanc, fermented mostly in stainless steel tanks, and Semillon (fermented in oak puncheons). Ripely scented, it is mouthfilling, sweet-fruited and vigorous, with fresh, concentrated peach, passionfruit and lime flavours, oak complexity and appetising acidity. A highly distinctive wine…" 5 STARS, Michael Cooper, Wine Writer 

"This unusual blend—unusual that is, in New Zealand—is a welcome addition to local wine styles. Semillon (40%) adds richness to the normally light-bodied sauvignon blanc (60%) as well as changing the flavour profile by adding a dash of cut grass and honey." 92 Points, Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review

"Dry white Bordeaux is one of the great wines of the world and is also the inspiration behind this outstanding new addition to Pegasus Bay’s reserve wines. Bold aromas of lemongrass, creamy citrus notes and an outstandingly complex purity with layers of flavour all make this a wine to contemplate. In keeping with its French counterparts, this blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon was given a significant amount of fermentation in old oak puncheons, along with 200 days of fermentation as whole bunches in stainless steel tanks to retain freshness and fruit vibrancy. The finished blend is approximately 60% Sauvignon and 40% Semillon." Joelle Thomson, Drinksbiz

"Minuetto is the newest addition to Pegasus Bay's reserve range of wines and 2021 is the first vintage. It was released in 2024 following the winery owners' and team's collective dedication to giving great wines the lengthy period of time they need to put their best foot forward. This wine is modelled on the great whites of Bordeaux, which typically makes up about five per cent of that region's production but shines a seductively different light on Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. This wine does too with its nuances of creamy texture, vibrant lemongrass, grapefruit and ripe citrus flavours all captured in an incredibly ageworthy wine. Minuetto is a powerful new addition to Aotearoa's wine scene." Joelle Thomson, www.joellethomson.com 

Pegasus Bay is a family-owned and run business within the Waipara Valley, led by patriarch and Neuroscientist Ivan Donaldson. Free draining and low fertility soils produce low yields of high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of Pegasus Bay’s unique setting. The range of wines is led by diverse and ageworthy styles of Pinot Noir and Riesling, with highly expressive Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon blends complementing the portfolio.

Producer website: https://www.pegasusbay.com/

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