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 (2023 Vintage)
"It has a bright lemon glow. Erupting from the glass is a feisty melange of perfume and tropical notes. Rose petal and honeysuckle, melded with hints of passionfruit, guava, honey dew melon, and a touch of pistachio nougat. Crisp and refreshing, the palate is animated and flavourful, with delicate sweetness balanced by bright acidity and ripe phenolics that add structure and length. The finish is long and moreish, leaving lingering impressions of ginger root.
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."
5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, June 2024 (2023 Vintage)
"Wonderfully fruited and fragrant, showing golden peach, poached pear, mango and mixed spice aromas, leading to a richly textured palate that's succulent and flavoursome. Splendidly expressed with a sustained, delicious finish. At its best: now to 2027."
90/100 Cameron Douglas MS, June 2024 (2023 Vintage)
"Bright and fruity, varietal with aromas and flavours of green pear and yellow apple flesh. There’s a light floral quality and gentle off-dry sweetness that brings weight and depth through the palate. Acidity and gently warming alcohol highlight a soft white spice quality to deliver balance and breadth across the palate. Well made with best drinking from 2024 through 2027."
Reviews for previous vintages below…
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 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."