Like all the other Main Divide wines, this over delivers on the flavour, quality and value fronts to offer excellent drinking at a fantastic price. Lusciously off dry with a richness, concentration of flavour, and complexity that could only come from Pegasus Bay. Aromas and flavours of ripe pear and spice, judicious residual sugar, added texture from lees aging, and a mineral freshness keeping it all in balance are rare attributes in a Pinot Gris at this price. Embrace and enjoy!
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"Cold weather during bud burst resulted in lower crop levels, hence no further fruit thinning was carried out. The subsequent warm dry summer served up perfectly ripened small berries full of intense flavour and concentration. Favourable conditions continued into autumn, allowing the fruit to be picked at its optimum ripeness.
Aiming for a classic Alsatian style with a North Canterbury twist, the fruit was harvested in stages over several weeks to optimise the grapes’ range of natural flavours. After picking, they were gently pressed, and the juice fermented in stainless steel tanks at a cool temperature to retain varietal purity and freshness. The wine was then given a short period of ageing on its natural deposit of yeast lees (sur lie), prior to bottling. At all stages, from fermentation to bottling, the wine was handled very carefully to help it retain a little of its naturally dissolved carbon dioxide. This may result in a small amount of spritzig when first poured, accentuating the freshness and liveliness of the wine
Upon release its colour is pale gold. Enchanting aromas of perfume and spice surge from the glass, rose oil and lavender in the attack, followed by impressions of clove, pear drop, and flecks of pineapple. Layered beneath this is an earthy, mineral anchorage. The mouthfeel is vibrant and energised, subtle sweetness harmoniously interwoven with perky acidity and a touch of phenolic tartness, adding balance and length. A stylised and flavourful Pinot Gris, finishing with a satisfying, tangy close."
5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, September 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Gorgeously ripe and enticing, the bouquet shows golden peach, poached pear, warm spice and ginger aromas, followed by a delightfully flavoursome palate offering excellent weight and persistency. It's richly styled with complexity, making it highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2026."
Rated Excellent, Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, January 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Struck match, smoke, honey, lemony citrus, rose petal, musk, a busy nose. Richly mouthfilling, honey, spice, musk, nicely integrated with a little prickle on the tongue and vibrant acidity giving this lovely freshness. A touch of apricot kernel comes in on the finish, a counter to the fruit ripeness. Reduction more evident with time but I like it. Lots to enjoy."
4 Stars Michael Cooper (2021 Vintage)
"From Pegasus Bay, this is a consistently good buy. Aiming for a "classic Alsatian style with a North Canterbury twist", the lively 2021 vintage was tank-fermented and briefly lees-aged. Bright, light yellow/green, with a slightly honeyed bouquet, it is full-bodied, with strong, peachy, gently spicy flavours, a splash of sweetness (9.5 grams/litre of residual sugar), and fresh, balanced acidity. Best drinking mid-2024+."
92/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, August 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"Appealing wine with restrained lusciousness and flavours that suggest tree-ripened pear, ginger, bush honey, pineapple, and peach, supported by fresh, tangy acidity."
92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, October 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"A fragrant bouquet of pear and white spice, yellow apple and a touch of marmalade and button mushroom. Delicious on the palate with a just dry gentle sweetness touch, then as the wine opens out across the palate the acidity offers contrast and youthful texture. Fruit and non-fruit flavours repeat and a touch of white spice for complexity. Well made and ready to drink from day of purchase through end of summer 2026."
92/100 JamesSuckling.com (2021 Vintage)
"Aromas of pears and honeysuckle with some nutmeg. Full body. Dense and fruity with a core of fruit. Almost oily in texture. Fruity at the end."