Bob Campbell is one of only 264 Masters of Wine in the world. An international wine judge, Bob judges wine professionally in ten countries and contributes regularly to publications around the world. His specialty is New Zealand wine which he reviews from an international perspective.

Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Hawke's Bay NZ Chardonnay 2006

Copyright © 2012 Bob Campbell, Master of Wine. Republishing Info.

95/100 55

A heavyweight of Chardonnays in every respect. Very intense wine with a strong but appropriate oak influence that is balanced by powerful citrus and stone fruit flavours. The wine has masses of sizzled butter, savoury yeast lees and roasted nut characters. Assertive acidity adds energy and ageing potential. Pegasus Bay’s regular Chardonnay often walks a bit on the wild side with funky, reductive mineral characters (in fact in 2007 they went a bit too far) but this Flagship label is slightly more conventional and none the worse for it.

Tasted: Apr 2009   Closure: S'cap    Average price: NZD $49 (~USD $41)

The above price is the estimated retail price given by the wine maker when it was submitted for review. It may not reflect the actual current market price.
USD pricing is a simple currency conversion from NZD and may not reflect the actual US retail pricing.

Other reviews that might interest you:

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These comments come straight from Bob's unedited tasting notes database. If you notice a spelling error or other problem on this page, please contact us so we can correct it.