” A restrained yet rich blended red with lots of red berry, dark chocolate and graphite aromas and flavors. Full and layered with fine tannins and a long and poised finish.”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, www.jamessuckling.com, USA
Maestro
The Season
Although the weather was fine over the flowering period of the vines, there were frequent, blustery winds. These impaired pollination and reduced the “set” so that there was a small crop. The rest of the season, however, was excellent and we were able to harvest beautifully ripened grapes. The naturally small crop has given this wine good concentration.
The Vineyard and vines
The vines are grown in stony, freely draining soil on north facing terraces. Being in the most sheltered and warmest part of our vineyard they receive extra heat and we removed the leaves from around the bunches early in the summer to accentuate this effect. Some of the blocks are over a quarter of a century old and are on their own roots.
The Harvest and Winemaking
We use the traditional methods which are employed to make Bordeaux’s celebrated red wine, Claret. After picking in mid-May the grapes were fermented in stainless steel tanks. During this process the juice was regularly drained from the tanks and sprayed back over the surface of the cap of floating grape skins to keep it moist and healthy. After fermentation ceased the tanks were sealed and the grape remnants allowed to steep or macerate in the newly formed wine for several weeks, the exact period being judged by daily tasting. The wine was then drained and put into French oak barriques. In the summer after harvest it underwent natural spontaneous malo-lactic, or secondary fermentation. It was in these barriques for 2 years, during which time it underwent several rackings, enabling it to clarify naturally. The various batches were then blended according to taste (50% merlot, 40% malbec, 5% cabernet franc and 5% cabernet sauvignon) before bottling.
The Wine
On release, the wine has a deep, ruby hue. There is a dense core of fruit with hints of purple plums, blackberries, black cherries, cassis, liquorice and spice both on the bouquet and the palate. It is chunky and muscular in the palate with a frame-work of well-ripened, fine-grained tannins which flow through the wine and help draw out the lingering after-taste.
2020
2019
”An inviting nose of blackcurrants, ink, coffee bean, pine and fresh mint … Black fruit laced with oak washes over the palate with pleasant spice and herbal complexity. Lingers on the palate.”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, www.jamessuckling.com, USA
”The Maestro represents the best of the Pegasus Bay Bordeaux fruit. I was privileged to receive a pre-release sample and all I can suggest is that you get in the queue. There is a class about its swagger and I just want more … Dangerously smooth, its silky presence oozes the prestige of the label it represents … I found fascinating … “
- Steve Leszczynski, Qwine, www.qwinereviews.com, AUS
“… it is a powerful, sturdy red … highly concentrated … and a silky-smooth texture. Weighty, rich and rounded”
- Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, NZ
“… This densely constructed red blend shows power, complexity and a mealy, long, savoury finish.”
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
“Magnificently styled and seductive … it's gorgeously layered in the mouth displaying velvety texture backed by loads of silky tannins. Plush and multi-layered with stunning complexity and length.”
- Sam Kim, www.wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
2016
”Maestro is one of the top reds in this country … It is a dense, dark, full-bodied red … Impressive is an understatement”
- Joelle Thomson, drinksbiz Magazine, NZ
“It's superbly fruited and hugely appealing … wonderfully concentrated and richly expressed … delectably enticing …”
- Sam Kim, www.wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
“… This is a brilliant NZ South island Bordeaux blend with richness and concentration … Only made in exceptional years”
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
“… A delicious meaty wine with muscle, power, flavour and finish. Love it!”
- Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
“... One of the South Island's greatest 'Bordeaux-style' reds, it should flourish for a decade.”
- Michael Cooper, www.michaelcooper.co.nz, NZ
” … Super fine tannins deliver a ball of spiced, dark-chocolate-coated black cherries and plum liqueur …”
- Nick Stock, www.jamessuckling.com, USA
2015
This has an attractive melding of bright violet-like fragrance with rich, dark berry fruits. The merlot really has the upper hand: it's all regal tannins and pristine blueberry fruit flavours. A superb mid-weight, flavorsome red.
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
“Full, very dark, deep … the nose is bold and intensely concentrated … The wine carries to an elegant, sustained finish. This is a bold, fulsome, sweet succulent Merlot blend …”
- Raymond Chan, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
“Densely fruited … the flavours harnessed by a touch of silky tannin. Long finish”
- Winestate Magazine, AUS
"… a medium to full-bodied red, with mouthwatering fruit and a long, dry, silky finish.”
- Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, USA
“Dark red berry fruits with plums and blackberry, violets and brown spices …. organic earthy quality, complex and engaging … tannins adding a lot of structure. Lengthy finish and very youthful still”
- Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com, NZ
“ … Full bodied powerful style …Good stuff.”
- Gary Walsh, The Winefront, AUS
2009
Jasmine-tinged blackberry and blackcurrant fruit here, with hints of crème de cassis, purple flowers, clove, macerated plums, milk chocolate and gently spiced oak. It smells delicious. Smooth and svelte on the palate with beautifully detailed fruit, spice and meaty, smoky nuances.
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
Attractive red wine with seductive sweet fruit and flavours suggesting blackcurrant, coffee, chocolate and dried herbs. Rich, almost luscious wine with a long and gentle drying finish. This is the best vintage of this label I can recall tasting
- Bob Campbell MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine, AUS
. . . arguably the best yet. Deep and youthful in colour, it is rich and flowing, with concentrated, beautifully ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice and coffee flavours, complex and finely structured. Drink now and over the next decade.
- Michael Cooper, Buyers Guide 2012, NZ
TOP TIP - This is always a blockbuster of a wine and this 2009 vintage is as good as any. It has a dark, dense nose of plums with chocolate notes whilst the palate is stacked full of sweet, ripe juicy fruit that is concentrated and powerful and counterbalance to the bold tannins.
- TizWine.com, NZ
2007
“Hearty, rich and warming red in a mellow and flavoursome style. Some ripe plum and berry flavours contrast with more savoury, toasty, spicy notes. A distinctive and characterful wine.”
- Bob Campbell MW, Gourmet Traveller Wine, AUS
”Drinking well now, this Waipara red is a blend of merlot (50%) and malbec (40%), with minor portions of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Barrel-aged for two years, it is deeply coloured and fleshy, with generous, spicy, nutty flavours, showing excellent complexity and richness.”
- Michael Cooper, Winestate, AUS
