2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Pegasus Bay

North Canterbury, New Zealand

The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc from Pegasus Bay is a benchmark expression of New Zealand’s North Canterbury region, vibrant, layered, and undeniably sophisticated. Pegasus Bay was established in 1986 by Ivan and Christine Donaldson, pioneers of viticulture in the Waipara Valley, with Ivan having planted one of the region’s first vineyards a decade earlier. Today, this family-run estate is guided by the second generation, with all four Donaldson sons involved in various aspects of the business. Their commitment to quality and site expression has earned Pegasus Bay a reputation as one of New Zealand’s most respected producers.

In the glass, the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc is immediately captivating. The bouquet is vibrant and expressive, offering a heady medley of tropical and citrus aromas: passionfruit, pineapple, and grapefruit are layered with lemon peel, green apple, and a subtle flinty note. On the palate, it delivers both energy and depth, juicy yet precise, with bright acidity and finely balanced phenolics that add structure and persistence. The mouthfeel is textural and dynamic, evolving into a long, mineral-driven finish that leaves a lasting impression.

The vineyard lies on the free-draining, north-facing Glasnevin Gravels of Waipara Valley, sheltered by the Teviotdale Range and blessed with warm days and cool nights. This unique mesoclimate, combined with low-fertility soils, naturally limits yields and promotes the development of intensely flavoured, well-structured fruit. The vines, many over 35 years old and planted on their own roots, deliver a Sauvignon Blanc that is both aromatic and texturally complex.

Whats in the bottle
100% Sauvignon Blanc

Notable Awards
95/100 – Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, NZ. “Pale, green-tinged sauvignon with a mix of tropical fruit, citrus and savoury oyster shell flavours. The wine opened up as it sat in the glass and deserves to be aerated to get the best out of it. It’s a complex and sophisticated wine that’s in a class of its own.”

£22.95
Taxes included.

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  • Producer Information
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Pegasus Bay is one of New Zealand’s most esteemed family-owned wineries, located in the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury. Founded in 1986 by Ivan and Christine Donaldson, who were among the pioneers of viticulture in the region, the estate has remained a true family affair, with all four of their sons actively involved in its operation today.

The vineyard is situated on north-facing, free-draining terraces in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, which offers natural shelter from coastal winds and creates a unique mesoclimate ideal for grape growing. The soils, known as the Glasnevin Gravels, are a blend of greywacke stones, silt, and loam, washed down over millennia, and are naturally low in fertility. This encourages deep root growth and low yields, resulting in fruit of exceptional concentration and character. The climate, with warm days and cool nights, ensures extended ripening and excellent natural acidity.

Pegasus Bay is renowned for producing complex, age-worthy wines, particularly Pinot Noir and Riesling, along with richly textured Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Their wines are widely acclaimed both domestically and internationally for their balance, depth, and strong sense of place.

The grapes were picked in separate batches during the first half of April, the aim being to produce a spectrum of ripe yet zesty aromas and flavours in the finished wine. After gentle pressing of the berries, the free run juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks at a cool temperature to help the wine express its varietal purity. A selection of the fruit was fermented using whole bunches and then matured on skins for 200 days to give added complexity. A small portion of barrel-aged Semillon has also been included in the finished wine for extra richness and texture. Both varieties were aged on their natural deposits of yeast lees (sur lie) for approximately 10 months prior to blending.

Grape
Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol by Volume
14.5%

Vintage
2021

Country
New Zealand

Size
750ml

Types
White Wine

Producer
Pegasus bay

Region
North Canterbury

Sub-Region
Waipara

2021 Sauvignon Blanc, Pegasus Bay

£22.95

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