Pegasus Bay Chardonnay 2018
The Pegasus Bay Chardonnay is made using traditional Burgundian winemaking methods. The fruit was hand-picked in stages during early April and then the whole bunches gently pressed. The non-clarified juice was then put into large French oak barrels (puncheons), 70% of which were old in order to limit pickup of oak flavour. In these it underwent primary fermentation by the grapes indigenous yeasts. The wine was then matured in the puncheons on its natural deposits of yeast lees (sur lie). In the summer after harvest it started to go through spontaneous secondary (malolactic) fermentation. It was regularly tasted during this time and the fermentation was stopped when the ideal balance was obtained. It had approximately 12 months maturation prior to bottling. The Pegasus Bay Chardonnay is a wonderful lemon/straw in colour and its bouquet reveals a vibrant melange of green apple, lemon, peach and hints of acacia. Struck match notes and a flinty minerality add to the wine’s savoury complexity, with touches of vanilla and baking spices providing further interest. The palate is mouth filling, however there is a spine of refreshing acidity that gives the wine satisfying tension and a prolonged finish.
Wine File
The Producer Pegasus Bay | Waipara
Pegasus Bay is Canterbury’s top winery and can challenge – even match – the very best from elsewhere. In 1985, Ivan Donaldson established what is now Pegasus Bay’s home vineyard with wife, Christine and their four sons...
Other wines from this producer
Pegasus Bay Maestro
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2020
Pegasus Bay Chardonnay 2018
Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Semillon 2019
The Region New Zealand | Canterbury
The Canterbury region in New Zealand's South Island consists of two major wine areas; the plains (including Banks Peninsula) around the city of Christchurch, and the more recently developed valley area of Waipara, an hour's drive north of Christchurch. While grapes were first planted in Akaroa in...
Other wines from this region
Pegasus Bay Chardonnay 2018
Pegasus Bay Sauvignon Semillon 2019
Pegasus Bay Bel Canto Dry Riesling 2020
Pegasus Bay Maestro
Muddy Water Slowhand Pinot Noir
Muddy Water Hare's Breath Pinot Noir
Muddy Water Estate Pinot Noir 2018
Muddy Water Chardonnay
The Primary Grape Chardonnay
Chardonnay takes its name from a village in the Mâconnais, but has expanded widely from its Burgundian roots and is now planted around the world. The...