Pegasus Bay is a family-owned and run business within the Waipara Valley, led by patriarch and Neuroscientist Ivan Donaldson. Free draining and low fertility soils produce low yields of high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of Pegasus Bay’s unique setting. The range of wines is led by diverse and ageworthy styles of Pinot Noir and Riesling, with highly expressive Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon blends complementing the portfolio.
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2016
Luscious riesling with obvious honeyed botrytis influence together with peach, ripe apricot, spice and anise flavours. A delicious wine that can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with moderately sweet desserts.
Rating: 95 Points
Source: Bob Campbell MW (January 2019)
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2016
Ripe grapes, plenty of botrytis influence and obvious skin contact have produced an intense, flavoursome wine with bush honey, peach, ripe apricot and spice/anise characters. Great as an aperitif or with luscious desserts.
Rating: 95 Points
Source: Top 100 New Releases, Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine (Jun/Jul 2019)
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2016
Pure, fresh, fruity and alluring bouquet of riesling with flavours of mandarin, limeflower and appleblossom. No mistaking scents of ripeness and late harvest with a lemonade and apple tart tartin. Off-dry on the palate, but immediately crisp and refreshing as well with high acidity contrasting the ripe and intense citrus and tree fruit flavours. Long and delicious finish. A lovely wine that will work equally as an aperitif as it will with food including some sweet course.
Rating: 95 Points
Source: Cameron Douglas MS (July 2018)
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2016
Lime and complex savoury, almost cheesy flavours, intense and sweet, cut of acidity through it, fair old tension, lime marmalade in the aftertaste with an almost hessian cut. A bit wild. Very interesting.
Rating: 93 Points
Source: Gary Walsh, The Wine Front (September 2018)
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2016
Auslese-like, at 80 grams per litre residual sugar, and made with a third or more botrytized fruit, the 2016 Aria Riesling is a stunning, luscious wine. It's medium to full-bodied but bright and mouthwatering, loaded with ripe, tropical fruit and underscored by tangerine zest on the lingering finish.
Rating: 93 Points
Source: Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker Wine Advocate (March 2018)
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2016
Brilliant, light golden-yellow colour with some depth, a little lighter on the rim. The nose is elegantly presented with a concentrated, rich and luscious heart of ripe lime fruit and topical fruit with a harmonious layer of musky botrytis, honey and marmalade, unfolding exotic floral elements. Sweet to taste and light-medium bodied, the palate has a clearly defined core with well-concentrated flavours of lime fruit, honey, exotic florals with nectar alongside marmalade and musky botrytis. The flavours are harmoniously interwoven, forming a lusciously rounded mouthfeel with some unctuousness which is balanced by fruit extract and fine phenolic textures providing linearity. The acidity is fresh, vibrant and balanced, and the wine carries to a long, honied and musky finish. This is a beautifully defined late-picked Riesling with citrus and tropical fruits, honey and marmalade with complexing musky botrytis on a fine textured palate.
Rating: 19/20 Points
Source: Raymond Chan (November 2018)
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2016
Off-dry and very impressive. Rich lime marmalade, peach fruits and hints of honey on the nose. The palate has immensely fleshy appeal and a neat resolve and balance.
Rating: 93 Points
Source: Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2016
The 2016 Aria Late Harvest Riesling has a pure, refined bouquet of orange zest, yellow plum and mirabelle that opens nicely in the glass but never gets carried away. The palate is well balanced, featuring a viscous opening countered by a fine thread of acidity, and a peach-, mango- and orange-zest-infused finish. Lovely.
Rating: 90 Points
Source: Neal Martin, Vinous (November 2018)
