This month, featuring three wines from one of my all-time favourite wineries - north Canterbury’s Pegasus Bay.
And then, for something completely different, two wines from the Nandi Hills in Karnataka, India's premier high-altitude wine region.
Courtesy of Fine O Wines, Point Chev I had the opportunity to review a fumé blanc and a blended cabernet sauvignon/shiraz. The Nandi Hills provide a unique microclimate that allows premium viticulture to thrive at an albeit tropical latitude, but between 800 to 1,000 metres above sea level, which effectively softens the intense tropical heat of Southern India.
Pegasus Bay Estate North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2025 $28
A softer style than your typical Marlborough sav. Cape gooseberry, lychee, guava and grapefruit with a hint of herbal thyme, black currant and finishing with crisp Meyer lemon citrus. 13.5% ABV
5 Stars *****
Available: pegasusbay.com
Pegasus Bay Estate North Canterbury Chardonnay 2023 $45
Funky ripe grapefruit and gun flint aromas. Lean and elegant with hints of creamy cashew nut, toasty oak, grilled grapefruit and lime marmalade. Lengthy finish. Was gently trodden underfoot and the free-run juice was racked off into French oak puncheons for ‘wild yeast’ ferment.
5 Stars *****
Available: pegasusbay.com, Glengarry - Caro’s
Grover La Reserve Nandi Hills Fumé Blanc 2024 $35
Subtle aromas. Opens on the palate as a delicate, clean flavoured wine at a deceptive 14% ABV. Soft lemon acids and creamy texture. Mildly herbaceous, with grilled bell pepper, gooseberry and a hint of toasty resin from barrel ageing on yeast lees residue.
5 Stars *****
Available: Fine O Wines Pt Chev.
Pegasus Bay Estate North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2024 $60
Full-flavoured and still very youthful. Boysenberry, prunes, and spiced plum. Plus, umami soy, cassis and blond tobacco. Medium acids and a lengthy finish. Would cellar nicely for up to 6 years.
5 Stars *****
Available: pegasusbay.com
Grover La Reserve Nandi Hills Red Blend 2024 $35
Intense and deeply flavoured. Smoky tar dominates the nose. On the palate it’s medium tannins, tar, dark Ghana chocolate, cassis, black cherry and kalamata olive, with a hint of eucalyptus. Lengthy dry finish. Would cellar well for up to 10 years. 14% ABV
5 Stars *****
Available: Fine O Wines Pt Chev.
www.insidertouring.co.nz
