2006 Prima Donna Pinot Noir

Quite dark – looks younger than the 2012! Good evolution on the nose but a little bit dry on the finish. Just a bit sweet and chewy. (JR)

Medium ruby colored, the 2006 Prima Donna Pinot Noir reveals an evolving dried cherry and mulberry character on the nose with some coffee, earth and clove hints. Medium bodied with medium-firm chewy tannins and great concentration, it has refreshing acidity and a long, earthy finish. Drink it now to 2016+. The Donaldson family initially planted vines at this Waipara estate in 1986, at first with a whole fruit salad of vines including a mix of Bordeaux varietals. With the benefit of trial and error, now the focus at Pegasus Bay is on Riesling and Pinot Noir. Husband and wife team, Lynnette Hudson and Matt Donaldson, are the dynamic duo heading-up winemaking these days and, as the notes of the verticals of back vintages I tasted with them will attest, the wines from this commendable estate not only have staying power, they just get better and better. Importer: Empson USA, Alexandria, VA.

Good deep, bright red. Dark raspberry and spice aromas complicated by leather and game nuances. Juicy, tightly coiled and penetrating, with a slightly liqueur-like black cherry flavor framed and lifted by dusty minerality. Conveys a stronger impression of acidity and structure than the 2007 Waipara bottling, but with just enough balancing sweetness of fruit. The sappy, deep finish features lovely lift and length.