Grapes:
100% Pinot Gris
Region:
Marlborough
Winemaker:
Adam Hazeldine
Recommended Food:
Works well with snapper fillets, rolled in fresh breadcrumbs and shallow fried, or with hot baked ham and glazed kumara.
Recommended Cellaring:
0-4 years
Production Notes:
Parcels of grapes were harvested when physiologically ripe from several of our vineyards in Marlborough. The vineyards with heavier soils add weight to the wine, where the lighter soils bring varietal aromatics. In the winery 85% of juice was fermented in tank at various temperatures and with various yeast to capture varietal character and build interest. The balance 15% was fermented in old French oak and lees stirred to increase the body and complexity of the wine.
Technical Notes:
Alcohol 14.5%
TA 6.6g/l
pH 3.62g/l
Residual Sugar 4.3
Tasting Notes:
The sweet, lifted aroma of proving bread appeals on the nose along with pleasant notes of white stone fruit, with spice and citrus adding to this sensory delight. Sweet Danish pastry and spicy pear tart emerge out of the succulent and sweetly fruited palate. Generous mineral flavours compliment the rich and full weight. Ginger and lemon zest add a pleasing zing to the finish.
Awards:
GOLD MEDAL
-Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2011
SILVER MEDAL
-NZ International Wine Show 2011
Reviews:
"This is an appealing style of Pinot Gris displaying peach, pear and citrus characters on the nose. The palate is fruity and smooth with a touch of sweetness which is nicely balanced by the acidity. A generously flavoured and lively wine with plenty of tasty flavours. At its best: now to 2012."
88 POINTS
4 STARS
-Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb, 2011
"Brilliant pale, straw-yellow colour with green hues, this has a fresh, pristine, soft nose of pears and stonefruits with a whiff of flintiness from lees work. This is a classically elegant wine, the 14.5% alc. is just noticeable; it is dry to taste with 4.3 g/L rs. Very fine and pure white stonefruit, floral and minerally flavours sit alongside lively, crisp acidity. This is a zesty Pinot Gris to serve with antipasto and seafood over the next 2-3 years."
18/20 POINTS
4 STARS
-Raymond Chan, www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz, April 2011
"Full-flavoured Pinot Gris with stone fruit, pear and bready yeast lees flavours. A hint of sweetness is restrained by delicate tannins giving a fine and reasonably drying finish."
4 STARS
-Bob Campbell MW, www.bobswinereviews.com, Aug 2011
"The finish is long with lingering stone fruit and nut flavors. 85% of the 2010 Pinot Gris was fermented in stainless steel tanks and the balance in seasoned French barrels and aged for 6 months before blending. It offers aromas of ripe pears and warm apple slices with faint hints of peaches and fennel seed. Dry, full bodied and with a pleasantly oily texture, it has balancing crisp acidity and a medium-long finish. Drink it now to 2013."
-Lisa Perrotti-Brown, eRobertParker.com #197, Oct 2011
"Restrained fragrance. Lighter-styled palate, just off dry - a nice level of sweetness. Flavours of pear drop and grapefruit with good grip and balanced acidity. Good pure length. Elegant."
-WineNZ Magazine, Spring 2011
