“ … Concentrated lush fruit … Rich and textural … This exotic white blend is complex, textural and rich, with a zappy acid spine driving a prolonged finish”
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
Vergence White
VERGENCE is when the pupils of the eyes look outwards, in opposite directions, before focusing. Wine made under this label will first and foremost be delicious, while also reflecting our commitment to constantly evolving our wine styles. Keeping an open mind is essential for progress and at times this this means looking outside the square, even when it’s untraditional, experimental or down right quirky. The composition of these wines may well change from vintage to vintage, either way you can be sure they have not been made looking straight.
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.
WINE
Here at Pegasus Bay we’ve been experimenting with Semillon for years, so it felt appropriate to use this variety as the core of our first Vergence white. Ultra-ripe Semillon from our 33 year old vines was fermented naturally with its solids to add some funky complexity, and then aged on lees in old oak barrels for 2 ½ years. A touch of Chardonnay, Muscat and Gewurztraminer were also included in the final blend to add aromatics and balance.
The longer than usual period in oak has given this wine a toasty and nutty character, with extra richness on the palate. There are also hints of citrus blossom and some floral notes. Skin contact during the fermentation has added savouriness, however the wine still has crisp acidity that provides for a lively and refreshing finish. A full bodied and complex wine, not for the faint hearted or unadventurous!
MK 3
“This is good. … super aromatic …. It's really good and more rambunctious and forthright than the MKII … plenty of flesh and punch …”
- Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, www.robertparker.com, USA
MK 2
“… Zesty yet lively and vibrant wine with many interesting layers … ”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, jamessuckling.com, USA
“… It's weighty and engaging in the mouth delivering excellent fruit richness backed by supple texture and crisp acidity.”
- Sam Kim, www.wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
“… the wine is textural and grippy and complex, with a long, layered draw of flavour through the finish …”
- Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, www.robertparker.com, USA
“ … This beautiful white blend is enticing and multilayered with a plush mouthfeel and invigorating finish”
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
MK 1
“A complex nose … Baking spice and dried herbs blend seamlessly and add very good depth. Layered and very long … ”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, jamessuckling.com, USA
“ … lovely intensity and concentration … unctuous and textural, flows smoothly with positive energy and drive …”
- Candice Chow, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
“ Vergence is a label for experimental wines that involve looking outside the square … A rich, textural white wine … A satisfyingly complex and weighty wine"
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, AUS & NZ
“… concentrated, vigorous wine, poised and youthful, with strong, ripe, peachy, spicy flavours, showing excellent complexity.”
- Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide, NZ
“ A complex bouquet … Many flavours maketh this wine with a moreish core of fruit, wood spice and waxy citrus fruits finish”
- Cameron Douglas MS, www.camdouglasms.com, NZ
“Splendidly complex and engaging … richly expressed with expansive mouthfeel … superbly long and delectable ….”
- Sam Kim – Wine Writer, www.wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
2016
“ Highly distinctive, … fragrant, complex bouquet, … concentrated, ripe, stonefruit flavours, hints of herbs, spices and nuts, and a lasting finish.”
- Michael Cooper, North & South magazine, NZ
“ … the bouquet is impressively complex and fragrant … concentrated and wonderfully weighted … rich texture, expansive mouthfeel … finishing long and attractively savoury”
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
" ... rich, spicy, funky core and a long, lip-puckering finish”
- Yvonne Lorkin, yvonnelorkin.co.nz, NZ
“ … A flavoursome dry white that’s richly-textured and quite complex … I like it”
- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbell.nz, NZ
“ … flinty complexity … a supple, complex riot of fruit and bold acidity …”
- Nick Stock, jamessuckling.com, USA
“… the palate is bold … complexity … finely balanced, silky …”
- Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, NZ
