Two Stars | 2019 Matthew Jukes & Tyson Stelzer New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification
Pegasus Bay’s second label Main Divide maintains the same Donaldson approach to winemaking and represents exceptional value for money. Its philosophy is based on individuality and harmony. The aim is to grow grapes of the highest quality which fully express the features of the vineyard and to handle these with the utmost respect. The results are distinctive, vibrant wines with lively fruit flavours, which at the same time are integrated and harmonious.
Main Divide Pinot Noir 2018
Dark cherry, plum skins, spice, dark chocolate. It’s medium-bodied, but has impact, plenty of dark skinned fruit plus a kind of bitter chocolate/tamarillo thing layering in some savoury complexity. Tannin is sure, and there’s a pleasant sappy edge to it, allied to warming richness of fruit. Finish is good. Comes over as quite serious and complex, and drinks very nicely.
Rating: 92 Points
Source: Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
Main Divide Pinot Noir 2018
“I’m going to make a call right now and suggest this is one of THE BEST VALUE pinot noirs available in the country right now. Incredibly plush, plucky and packed solid with cherry, raspberry, rhubarb flavours, buckets of spice, tantalising tannins, sneaky black tea layers and fabulous length of flavour, make this an unputdownable pinot noir that’ll absolutely wow the crowds. Ripe, robust and romping home with awesomeness.”
Rating: 5 stars
Source: Yvonne Lorkin, www.yvonnelorkin.com NZ, September 2020
Main Divide Pinot Noir 2018
Graphite and charry oak lead the nose; rich fruit here too yet a little bound up. Lead pencil, rubber, rich fruit meet up with powerful tannins and racy acidity: this feels like a lot of effort and ingredient have gone into making it, yet it still seems to need time to fully integrate. Time sees this soften and flesh out, so the best is likely yet to come.
Rating: Very good
Source: Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times, www.odt.co.nz, May 2020
Main Divide Pinot Noir 2018
Great value pinot from Pegasus Bay’s second tier label. Spent 18 months in 225 litre oak barriques after fermentation. Lots of cherry and dark berry fruit flavours, with plum, mocha and tasty oak. Vibrant and young. Great to drink now, but well worth reward cellaring for 2-3 years …
Source: Phil Parker, Ponsonby News, NZ, June 2020
