Pegasus Bay Chardonnay 2020

Category:
 
White Wines
Sub-Category:  
 
White Wines
Producer:
 
Pegasus Bay
Label Name:
 
Chardonnay
Vintage:
 
2020
Country:
 
New Zealand
Region:
 
Waipara Valley, North Canterbury
Volume:
 
750ml
ABV:
 
13%
Grape(s):
 
Chardonnay
Acidity:
 
4
Sweetness:
 
1
Body:
 
5
Length:
 
5
Aroma Intensity:
 
5
Best Temperature:
 
12-14°C

Awards/Ratings
2020 scores: Sam Kim 95/100; James Suckling 94/100; Cameron Douglas MS 94/100; Rebecca Gibb MW (Vinous) 92/100; Erin Larkin (Robert Parker) 92/100. Michael Cooper: Classic Status

Tasting Note
Bright lemon colour; aromas of rock melon, nectarine and mandarin with buttered popcorn, flinty smoke and vanilla. Full-bodied yet precise, creamy textured palate balanced by invigorating acidity and a long, beguiling finish.

Food Pairing
Western: roast chicken, grilled scallops, lobster risotto, creamy mushroom pasta, Brie/soft cheeses. Asian: miso‑glazed cod, teriyaki salmon, tempura prawns, Chinese steamed fish with ginger & scallions, pork belly bao.

Production Method
Hand‑picked fruit; gentle foot‑treading; free‑run, non‑clarified juice fermented in French oak puncheons (70% old) with indigenous yeasts; aged on lees ~12 months with partial spontaneous malolactic fermentation.

Vineyard Info
Family-owned Pegasus Bay, founded by Ivan and Christine Donaldson (est. 1986). Estate vineyards on Glasnevin Gravels in Waipara; many vines 30+ years, producing concentrated, cool‑climate fruit.