Established in 1986 by the Donaldson family, Pegasus Bay is a pioneering estate in New Zealand’s Waipara Valley. The Prima Donna Pinot Noir represents the pinnacle of their winemaking, produced only in exceptional vintages. Sourced from the oldest ungrafted vines on the estate, planted on the free-draining Glasnevin Gravels, this wine reflects a unique terroir characterised by low fertility soils and a cool mesoclimate. Traditional Burgundian methods are employed, including natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts and maturation in French oak barriques (approximately 40% new) for 14 months. The result is a wine that embodies both power and finesse, showcasing the Donaldson family’s commitment to crafting wines of exceptional quality and character.

In the glass, the 2019 Prima Donna Pinot Noir offers a complex bouquet of spiced plum, red currant, and dark cherry, interwoven with savoury notes of earth, leather, cinnamon, mushroom, and crushed thyme. On the palate, a concentrated core of ripe fruit is complemented by fine-grained tannins, delivering a luxurious mouthfeel. Well-integrated acidity provides balance and poise, leading to a long and harmonious finish. This wine possesses both power and elegance, with the structure to evolve gracefully over the next 12-15 years.