“Pegasus Bay Merlot Cabernet ages like clockwork”
- Matthew Jukes, 100 Most Iconic Wine Estates
Merlot Cabernet
THE FAMILY
The Donaldson Family have been seriously involved in viticulture and winemaking for over 40 years. Founder Ivan Donaldson planted the first Canterbury vineyard in 1976 and went on to establish Pegasus Bay in 1986 with his wife Christine. It is a true family business, with all four of their sons and two spouses involved, managing various aspects.
THE VINEYARD AND VINES
The vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free draining, north facing terraces carved out of New Zealand’s Southern Alps by an ice-age glacier. 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 30 years old, with a large proportion planted on their own roots. The soil is free draining and 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
Warm and settled weather during flowering led to a very large initial set. Fruit thinning was then undertaken to bring the crop back to the desired level. A perfect summer, followed by a warm dry autumn enabled the subsequent grapes to be harvested with excellent flavour development and physiological ripeness.
THE HARVEST AND WINEMAKING
This wine is made in the same style as the celebrated Claret from Bordeaux, using traditional methods. After being picked in May, the grapes began fermentation naturally in stainless steel tanks. During this process the juice was regularly drained and sprayed back over the cap of floating grape skins (rather than plunging), to ensure a perfect tannin balance was extracted from the fruit. The wine was then gently pressed off and put into French oak barriques (25% new). The following summer, when the weather warmed, it underwent a natural malo-lactic (secondary) fermentation. After maturing in oak for 2 years, the various batches were then carefully blended in varying portions to produce the most complex and balanced wine possible. The finished product is a blend of 40% Merlot, 40% Cabernet, 15% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc.
THE WINE
The wine is deep ruby in colour. Its abundant aromas suggest blackberries, dark plums, cassis and mocha, with underlying hints of vanilla, spice, cigar box and game. The palate is rich but muscular, with a backbone of ripe tannins that provide a savoury aftertaste of black olive tapenade. While the wine is full bodied, the Merlot component ensures it remains smooth and succulent, with generous fruit weight.
2020
“ … wonderfully flavoursome palate delivering excellent weight and plump mouthfeel ... bold yet stylish ....”
- Sam Kim, www,wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
“A delicious dark and complex blend … an exceptional value red that drinks beautifully now and can age further.”
- Joelle Thomson, Drinksbiz Magazine, NZ
“I really like the flower and red fruits here that flow across the palate. Medium-bodied with fine tannins and a reserved finish. Very classy ...”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, www.jamessuckling.com, USA
“… Deeply coloured, it is full-bodied and rich … supple tannins and a well-rounded finish. Still very youthful”
- Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooperwines.com, NZ
“… Lots to like about this wine. Will age well...”
- Cameron Douglas MS, www.camdouglasms.com, NZ
2019
“… Savoury chocolate notes add depth to the black-fruited palate.”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, www.jamessuckling.com, USA
“This superb full-bodied blend hails from the Waipara Valley in the heart of North Canterbury … Dark blackberry fruit flavours marry nicely with the smooth soft appeal of Merlot.”
- Joelle Thomson, Drinksbiz Magazine, NZ
“… A saucy blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and cabernet franc … velvety-smooth textures and layers of plum, mocha, hints of leather and tobacco leaf on the palate … Yum!.”
- Yvonne Lorkin, www.yvonnelorkin.com, NZ
“… very good complexity, gentle tannins, and a supple, finely textured finish.”
- Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide, NZ
“Big, brooding, earthy, Bordelais style … full-bodied, nicely weighted with rich, chewy tannins and positive length ….”
- New Zealand Wine Writer, Stephen Bennett MW & Lynnette Hudson, NZ
“ … Seductively smooth-textured wine … Delicious, complex red with good cellaring potential. Clearly from a top vintage …”
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, NZ
“Richly fruited and enticing … flavoursome in the mouth with excellent weight and persistency. Plump and fleshy with a prolonged delicious finish.”
- Sam Kim, www,wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
“The wine possesses power and good energy generated by richness and concentration. This is readily delicious, with elegant and poise on a well-structured palate….”
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
2018
“Remarkable red that probably owes much of its rich, ripe flavours to relatively old vines and the experienced hand of winemaker, Mat Donaldson …”
- Bob Campbell MW, www.bobcampbell.nz, NZ
“… Well made, youthful, fleshy and long. A lovely example ready to enjoy …”
- Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
“… mouthfiling with concentration, vibrant blackcurrant, plum, herb and spice flavours, showing good complexity, finely balanced tannins and obvious cellaring potential.”
- Michael Cooper, Winestate Magazine, AUS
"Delightfully fruited and fragrant … succulent and smooth … finishing long and flavoursome"
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
2016
“...Concentrated … This is a refined Merlot and Cabernet based blend … on a vibrant palate with fine structure”
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
“ … Dry, firm textures, youthful, ripe and loaded with flavour …Plenty of length and finish … “
- Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
“ … Powerful, juicy, dark fruits dance on the palate …Sumptuous fine-grained tannins and beautiful balance… Amazingly long and delicious finish …”
- Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, NZ
“ … This has richness and fullness on the palate with plump plums holding very deep, fleshy and long”
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
2013
“An impressive wine for the ball of succulent ripe plum-flavored fruit it dishes up amid succulently ripe tannins and fresh, earthy, background complexity. This has all-round appeal, casual or formal!”
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
“ … strong, vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, finely integrated oak, ripe, supple tannins, and excellent depth, complexity and harmony.”
- Michael Copper, michaelcooper.co.nz, NZ
“ …. immensely appealing …. Excellent length"
- Winestate Magazine, AUS
“ … Lovely bouquet of fruit, mineral, concentration and charm … complex and intriguing … Great example from Canterbury”
- Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.blogspot.co.nz, NZ
2012
"…The nose is seamlessly melded and reveals fragrant spices, musk and a suggestion of camphor. Medium-full bodied, the palate is softly concentrated with integrated flavours ... good depth and the palate flows smoothly with satin-like tannins, and underlying acid vitality. ... long, complex….”
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
2011
“Full-coloured, with fresh plum, spice and nutty oak flavours, showing excellent complexity and depth."
- Michael Cooper's Buyers Guide, NZ
2010
“impressive complexity …” Good intensity of flavours…The oak is perfectly integrated and there’s a lovely round, supple texture in the mouth, giving superb structure and balance
- WineNZ magazine
100 best wines "Chewy, fleshy red with plum, dark berry chocolate/mocha and nutty oak flavours. Deliciously accessible red.”
- Bob Campbell MW - Taste magazine, NZ
2009
"Top Tip" “From an excellent vintage this is a bold and intense wine with aromas and flavours of dark plums, blackberries, cassis and blueberries. It has mealy style that makes it dense and long lasting.”
- TizWine.com, NZ
