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Overview
A wine of pedigree, depth, and distinction, Pegasus Bay Maestro Merlot Malbec is a masterful claret-style blend from North Canterbury’s revered Waipara Valley. Handcrafted only in exceptional vintages, this reserve release from the Donaldson family showcases over 40 years of winemaking excellence and generations of dedication to terroir. Grown on the ancient Glasnevin Gravels, the vines yield fruit of profound concentration and structure, enhanced by natural fermentation and extended oak maturation. Bold, expressive, and immaculately balanced, Maestro is a commanding red that reflects the power and grace of one of New Zealand’s most iconic producers.
Tasting Notes
Deep purple in hue, the wine opens with a brooding bouquet of black forest fruit, wild mushroom, aged soy, and smoked game. Complex layers of liquorice, eucalyptus, clove, and mossy earth rise from the glass, hinting at its serious structure. On the palate, it is powerful and tightly wound—firm tannins and brisk acidity build a robust frame, yet within it lies a core of dark, opulent fruit and savoury depth. Matured for two years in French oak, this blend of Merlot (45%), Malbec (40%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) is lavish, textured, and incredibly long. Decant and enjoy now, or cellar confidently for over a decade.
Accolades
- 95 Points (Cameron Douglas MS)
- 93 Points (James Suckling)
- 19.5 Points (Candice Chow)
- 5 Stars (Michael Cooper)
- 4 Stars (Gavin Hubble, Grape To Glass)
