Pegasus Bay Merlot Cabernet 750ml

Pegasus Bay Merlot Cabernet 750ml Awarded 95100 Points amp 5 Stars Bob Campbell Master of Wine Awarded 94100 Points amp 5 Stars Sam Kim Wine Orbit THE VINEYARD The vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury on freedraining northfacing terraces It benefits from being in the lee of the Teviotdale Range giving maximum protection from the Pacifics easterly breezes and thus creating a unique microclimate The vines are over 30 years old with a large proportion planted on their own roots They are located on the Glasnevin Gravels where greywacke stones silt and loam have been washed down from the mountains over the millennia The soil is of low fertility resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour This produces low yields of optimally ripened highquality flavourful grapes which fully express the qualities of this unique terroir The vineyard has warm days but the nights are amongst the coolest in the Waipara Valley drawing out the ripening period of the grapes while still retaining good natural acidity THE WINE Upon release it is an intense garnet colour The bouquet is an arresting melange of black fruit and savoury aromas Dark cherry blackcurrant and plum soon morph into truffle woodsmoke leather and spice along with faint mineral notes In the mouth the wine is fullbodied and assertive laden with ripe elegant tannins and a classic structure The larger Merlot component ensures the blend remains succulent and fruitdriven however there is a backbone of perfectly judged acid and tannins from the Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that balances the wine offering outstanding depth and harmony While ready to drink now it will evolve gracefully in the bottle for many years to come Alc 135