“ … The fruit is plush and pure with balanced acidity … a charming, structured finish”
- Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
Vergence Red
VERGENCE is when the pupils of the eyes look inwards and outwards, during 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 downright quirky. Either way you can be sure they have not been made looking straight. We’ve also decided to label these wines by “marks” rather than season as some releases may be multi-vintage, depending on their style and what we aim to achieve.
FAMILY
The Donaldson Family have been seriously involved in viticulture and winemaking for over 40 years. Founder Ivan Donaldson planted one of the first Canterbury vineyards 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 now involved.
WINE
Vergence is all about looking beyond tradition, and our Mark II is certainly that. After careful consideration, we decided upon a red blend from our 2021 vintage, comprising principally of Pinot Noir, but also including a portion of Cabernet Sauvignon (approximately 15%) that was aged on skins. The Pinot Noir was fermented naturally in tank (including approximately one third whole bunch), before being transferred to French oak barriques, where it matured for approximately 12mths. The Cabernet Sauvignon was also naturally fermented, but this time in barrel using hand destemmed whole berries, and then pressed off after approximately 200 days. Both varieties were then blended prior to bottling.
The wine has an intriguing deep ruby hue. Its bouquet assails from the glass, first red fruit on attack, followed by a spicy, oak-laced underbelly. Impressions of cranberries and pomegranate flirt temptingly with darker notes of blackcurrant and blackberries, wrapped in a quilt of vanilla, cinnamon, liquorice, black pepper, and a hint of aniseed. Whisps of leather and toasted hay complete the allure. The palate is elegantly structured, with simmering tension. Generously laden fruit weight is contrasted against ripe developed tannins and an underlying phenolic drive. The mouthfeel is rich and full bodied, with a prolonged and rewarding finish. While displaying classic Pinosity, this wine has been crafted to offer added depth, vigour, and a touch of brawn.
MK3
Mk 2
“Dense, full-bodied and silken red with black-fleshed plum, cassis, black cherry and spicy oak supported by a backbone of fine, peppery tannins that emerge on the finish. Rich and satisfying red … ”
- Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, NZ
“Made predominantly with Pinot Noir fruits and small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon … Fruity, textured, fresh and quite delicious … Balanced, well made.”
- Cameron Douglas MS, www.camdouglasms.com, NZ
“ … Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Juicy with savoury character on the palate. Soft finish.”
- James Suckling Wine Reviews, www.jamessuckling.com, NZ
“ … This black-fruited red blend possesses a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with a ripe tannin structure and savoury reveals.”
- Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
“This powerful, very inviting red is an unusual blend of pinot noir (85%) and cabernet sauvignon (15%) from the 2021 vintage … Already drinking well, it is deeply coloured, mouthfilling, sweet-fruited and supple, with cherry, plum and spice flavours, gentle acidity and a long, harmonious finish.”
- Michael Cooper, Winestate Magazine, AUS
Mk 1
“What a fantastic wine to top the tasting and a real statement as to what whole-bunch fermentation can bring to a wine when managed and balanced to a high degree. Showing a really enticing, complex, gamy bouquet with a plethora of aromas such as wild berries, dark chocolate, coffee, crushed-thyme with plenty, (but not too much) vanilla oak in support. A seductive, plush, lush-textured wine with impressive weight, and a tasty, lingering finish that is perhaps the most impressive facet of all.”
- New Zealand Wine Rater, Stephen Bennett MW & Lynnette Hudson, NZ
“ … impressive complexity, and a firmly structured, long, spicy finish”.
- Winestate Magazine, AUS
“ … lingering, elegant finish. This is a harmonious Pinot Noir with succulent fruit, herbal and floral details and a fine powdery palate”
- Candice Chow, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, NZ
“A dynamic and experimental label. Fermented using 100% whole-bunches … A rich, textural wine offering an attractive contrast to Pegasus Bay's regular pinot noir”
- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbell.nz, NZ
“An elegant, pure and highly floral nose ... The delicious and attractively textured medium weight flavors possess good vibrancy … sneaky long finish … ” I like the depth, and this delivers excellent quality for the price”
- Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, US
“A real sense of lightness and elegance … deep and complex, refined tannins and a long finish. Already very enjoyable, it's a distinctive red”
- Michael Cooper, michaelcooper.co.nz, NZ
“This is impressive … outstanding depth and power … persistent refined finish. Made entirely from whole-bunch pinot noir grapes”.
- Sam Kim – Wine Writier, www.wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
“ … The palate is voluminous but unimposing, with an enveloping and caressing mouthfeel. The balance sits firmly within the powdery tannins and generous body … “
- Stephen Wong MW
2017
“ … Quite a rich, weighty pinot with plenty of spice and some herbal characters adding complexity … An attractive wine that could develop well with bottle age”
- Bob Campbell MW, bobcampbell.nz, NZ
“This is a magnificent 100% whole-bunch-fermented pinot. It is richly fruited and intriguing … excellent depth and weight, beautifully enhanced by silky mouthfeel and supple tannins. Powerful and graceful.”
- Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, wineorbit.co.nz, NZ
“From 100% Pinot fruit with 100% whole bunch and 100% carbonic maceration technique … ” delicious and fresh with a lower tannin structure, coarse silk texture and lengthy finish”
- Cameron Douglas MS, camerondouglasms.com. NZ
“ … Powerful and sweetly fruited palate … Pinot on steroids with chewy tannins …”
- Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, NZ
“A powerful, fruit-packed, very bold style of Pinot Noir, it should be long-lived”
- Michael Cooper, michaelcooper.co.nz, NZ
“… There's some good energy here no doubt from the carbonic maceration … Red apple acidity to close with a dash of fine peppery spice and you walk away very satisfied”
- Steve Leszczynski, Qwine, www.qwinereviews.com
