Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2022
A richly detailed Pinot Noir with red fruit, spice, and savoury depth. Silky, layered, and one of the more serious Pinot expressions in the batch.
The Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2022 is a masterful expression of New Zealand Pinot, crafted by the Donaldson family at one of Waipara Valley’s most respected estates. Since its founding in the 1970s, Pegasus Bay has built a reputation for wines of depth, complexity, and age-worthiness, drawing on mature vines, diverse soil types, and the unique microclimate of North Canterbury. This is Pinot Noir with both power and poise – a wine that captures the intensity of the region while retaining Burgundian finesse.
The 2022 vintage was crafted using traditional techniques, including 40% whole-bunch fermentation for aromatic lift and fine tannin structure, followed by 15 months in French oak barrels, a portion of which were new. The result is a wine of striking fragrance and layered complexity. Aromas of dark cherry, black plum, and pomegranate are woven with notes of violet, clove, leather, and forest floor, while the palate delivers a silky interplay of juicy red fruit, savoury earthiness, and finely integrated oak. Fresh acidity and ripe, velvety tannins provide balance, leading to a long, focused finish with lingering spice and mineral tones.
The Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2022 is captivating in its youth, showcasing vibrant fruit and supple texture, but it is also built for the cellar, where over 7–10 years it will evolve into an even more complex wine with layers of truffle, game, and earthy nuance.
New Zealand
Waipara Valley
Pinot Noir
750ml
14%
2022Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2022 comes from Waipara in North Canterbury, one of New Zealand’s most compelling regions for serious, site-driven Pinot Noir. The producer has long been known for wines with more depth, texture, and complexity than simpler fruit-led examples, and that signature is very evident here.
Waipara’s climate and sheltered conditions help Pinot Noir ripen fully while retaining freshness, giving wines with both generosity and savoury detail. Pegasus Bay often adds a little more structure and aromatic complexity than many brighter, more immediate New Zealand Pinots, making the wines feel distinctly premium and cellar-worthy.
This is a clear step-up Pinot Noir. It still has plenty of beautiful fruit, but it also carries real depth, layering, and a sense of craftsmanship that places it above casual category drinking.
A dry, medium-bodied red with silky tannins, broad red fruit, and notably layered savoury complexity. It is fuller and more serious than easy-drinking Pinot Noir, but remains graceful and finely textured.
In simple terms: a premium New Zealand Pinot Noir — generous, savoury, and impressively complete.
- Appearance: Bright ruby with deeper garnet shading.
- Nose: Red cherry, spice, forest floor, and dried herbs.
- Palate: Layered red fruit with savoury complexity and spice.
- Texture: Medium-bodied with silky, refined tannins.
- Finish: Long, smooth, and detailed.
- Overall Impression: A serious, beautifully made New Zealand Pinot Noir with real depth and pedigree.
- Duck Breast – A superb pairing for premium Pinot Noir.
- Roast Game Birds – The savoury depth works particularly well here.
- Mushroom Risotto – A natural match for earthy flavours.
- Pork Tenderloin – Excellent with gentler red meats.
- Brie or Camembert – Strong with soft-rinded cheeses.
- Serve at 14–16°C.
- No full decant required, though 15–20 minutes in the glass helps.
- Use a Burgundy-style glass.
- Best enjoyed now with air or over the next 5–7 years.
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Derrylin
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