Five Stars | Matthew Jukes & Tyson Stelzer New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification

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.

Pegasus Bay PRIMA DONNA Pinot Noir 2019
Immensely complex and seductively inviting, the bouquet shows dark berry, smoked game, truffle and roasted nut characters, leading to a wonderfully weighted palate that's richly textured and impressively long on the finish. It's opulent and velvety, while remaining structured and harmonious with a sustained engaging finish.
Rating: 97 Points
Source: Sam Kim – Wine Writer, NZ, Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz

Pegasus Bay PRIMA DONNA Pinot Noir 2019
The flagship wine for Pegasus Bay, this is just brilliant. Its class is evident when lined up alongside its sibling, albeit the latter was a year younger. There is more density and generosity yet there is no denying the sexy and lacy appeal. Boom! Red plums and dark cherries consume the mouth with a curtain of delicate spices flanking the edge. Some earthy and meaty feels drive through the mid-palate but the weight showcases finesse and deft handling. Saturated by interest, the length seemingly doesn't want to end. A sublime expression of New Zealand Pinot Noir, if you can stretch your dollar further to lash out, loosen the belt buckle, kick off your shoes and just get comfortable.
Rating: 96 Points
Source: Steve Leszczynski, Qwine, www.qwinereviews.com

Pegasus Bay PRIMA DONNA Pinot Noir 2019
A flagship wine only produced in exceptional years. Made from a selection of the best barrels from the oldest, ungrafted vines in the vineyard. A mellow, elegant wine with floral/red rose, dark cherry, plum, dried herb and spicy oak flavours. It has a reputation for ageing well.
Rating: 96 Points
Source: Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review

Pegasus Bay PRIMA DONNA Pinot Noir 2019
Fantastic bouquet, enticing, complex, varietal and savoury. Aromas and flavours of dark cherry and berry fruits, barrel spices and youthful energy. Dark cherry and black berry flesh, some plum and blackcurrant notes then ansie and toasty clove barrel flavours. Firm youthful tannins need time to integrate more, acidity is lively and fresh carrying flavours, a savourt dried herb quality and textures of fruit, oak and pinosity. A delicious and complex wine that will age well if given the chance.
Rating: 95 Points
Source: Cameron Douglas MS, www.camdouglasms.com

Pegasus Bay PRIMA DONNA Pinot Noir 2019
Prima Donna is Pegasus Bay’s flagship Pinot Noir. In its youth, the 2019 is attractively feral with wild herbs and smoky, leathery aromas outshining its sweet cherry fruit notes. After a couple of days of being open, this untamed beast gets better: it mellows, allowing its fragrant, flowing self to emerge. A high level of fruit concentration in its light to medium-bodied frame provides power without weight. Aeration allows what seem initially to be dry, untamed tannins to settle and integrate more fully. Okay, this is not a wine drinking now, but it will be given time. Rating: 94 Points
Source: Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous

Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir 2019
Always an idiosyncratic wine, and in some ways, it puts me in mind of a Barolo Riserva!
Dark cherry, plum, shitake mushroom, cedar, orange peel, plenty of exotic spice and dried flowers. It’s dry, sappy, amaro-laced and quite spicy, firm powdery tannin, a smattering of dried herb, tangy and grainy on a powerful and dry orange zest finish. Distinctive as ever, and fit for the cellar.
Rating: 94 Points
Source: Gary Walsh, The Wine Front

Pegasus Bay PRIMA DONNA Pinot Noir 2019
PBPD19 Candice Chow Jul22 Deep ruby-red, lighter on the rim. The bouquet shows good energy and vibrancy, with penetrating aromas of dark cherries, tamarillo and cranberries entwined with smoky earth, mushroom and thyme, and an amalgam of spice with a cinnamon core. Medium-bodied, violet interlaced with dark cherries, cranberries and tamarillo formed an elegant core, unfolding thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, mushroom and savoury, smoky elements. The wine has a complex range of flavours, bound by integrated acidity and lingers with precision. Fine-grained tannin extraction left a powdery, opulent mouthfeel and structure. This refined yet powerful Pinot Noir shows a range of ripe fruit, spice and floral details structured by fine-grained tannins for years to come. Rating: 19/20
Source: Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

Pegasus Bay PRIMA DONNA Pinot Noir 2019
The 2019 Prima Donna Pinot Noir is down to about 20-25% new oak from 40%, and it is spicy and layered on the nose. The tannins in the mouth are grippy and chalky and even a little waxy through the finish. There is cherry, pomegranate, a hint of crispy bacon, star anise and peppercorns. It's cloth-y and fine, through the finish.
Rating: 93 Points
Source: Erin Larkin, www.robertparker.com

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