Pinot Gris

2008 Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris

Astrolabe, Marlborough, New Zealand

Gold in the Sydney Top 100 and 5 Stars in Winestate Magazine. A small portion of juice was fermented on solids in old barriques, by wild yeast to add complexity and the wine went through 100% malolactic fermentation. "The bouquet has nougat, quince paste and ripe pear notes with light butterscotch and stonefruit aromas. The palate is medium-bodied wine with delicate flavours of quince and nuts, warm alcohol and a drying finish." Beautiful

2009 Kumeu River Pinot Gris

Kumeu River Wines, Auckland, New Zealand

2009 is Kumeu River's twelfth vintage of Pinot Gris. They are already one of NZs top producers and each year as the vines age, the wine gains even more complexity and interest. 2009 has produced an excellent Pinot Gris. It is a little drier than previous years and this gives crisp and refreshing quality to the wine. "The aromas have typical peach and stone fruit notes tinged with the floral perfume that we have come to expect from Pinot Gris. On the palate the wine is rich and complex with an oily texture that coats the tongue and lingers on the palate, with a lovely length of flavour." Pinot Gris is a variety that goes particularly well with food, including quite intensely flavoured dishes. It is also one of the few wine styles that can handle the spiciness of chilli, so together with the sweet succulence of prawns, a nicely chilled bottle of Kumeu River Pinot Gris makes up a spectacular combination.

2009 Terrace Heights Estate Marlborough Pinot Gris

Marlborough - Other, Marlborough, New Zealand

Made by Sam Smail at Whitehaven Winery. Enjoy the aromas of orchard pears, figs and quince. Creamy rich with just enough sweetness and a touch of spice that lingers on the palate." Excellent pinot gris from an up and coming label.

2004 Hugel Tokay Pinot Gris

Hugel, Alsasc, France

2008 Schoffit Alsace Pinot Gris

Schoffit, Alsasc, France

Situated in the southeast region of the town of Colmar is Domaine Schoffit. It is a family estate, where son Bernard Schoffit currently runs most of the business and winemaking, together with his wife Fabienne. Bernard Schoffit is an experience to encounter. Every bit the winegrower that still works his own vineyards and is therefore most seen in a jeans outfit that shows who's doing the work there. He is also an outspoken man, not the least afraid of what others say, self confident and always a pleasure to discuss with. He's among the rather few Colmar winegrowers that succeeded in showing the world what can be done with vastly reducing yields on relatively simple vineyards like the 'Harth', where a lot of his wines come from. Once you have tried this rich, uctuous, oily textured pinot gris you'll find it hard to go back to the kiwi style- ( as numerous customers will testify ). We are waiting on the 08 review but here is Parkers 07 review "Schoffit’s 2007 Pinot Gris Tradition manages to largely hide its 14.6% alcohol and even to reflect the special potential of its grape in this vintage, which might not have been possible had he allowed it to go through malolactic fermentation as he did most of his 2007s. If anything, the acids are a bit youthfully obstreperous here, managing however to hold back 18 grams of residual sugar for a dry finishing effect. Pumpkin, peach, and brown spices persist all the way through to a faintly warm but still vivacious finish. This could be interesting to follow for 6 or more years."

2005 Schoffit Old Vines Pinot Gris

Schoffit, Alsasc, France

Due 1st June. Book now. This is Schoffit's old vine ( 40- 60 yrs of age ) which shows additional intensity and mind blowing textural intensity. A full-throttle pinot gris with broad, expansive yellow fruit characters, untold power, elegance and depth. It possesses gorgeous balance. A wine for those who love large scaled whites and a classical Alsasc style that N.Z.producers should be trying to emulate, if its feasible in this country.

2008 Amor Bendal Gisborne Pinot Gris

Amor-Bendal, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

2008 Escarpment Martinborough Pinot Gris

Wairarapa/Wellington - Other, Wairarapa/Wellington, New Zealand

Larry McKenna has just released his '06 Pinot Gris. Beautifully ripe fruit from the 2006 has delivered this powerful opulent wine which combines exquisitly with barrel fermentation in this dry Burgundian inspired Pinot Gris. Flavours reminiscent of pears and stone fruit with a delightful soft texture and a commanding long finish. The wine is a true reflection of both Martinborough's unique terroir and the skills and experience of winemaker Larry McKenna. The grapes were hand harvested from the alluvial gravel terraces of the Station Bush Vineyard. Top N.Z. Pinot Gris which will age due to the oak fermentation.

2008 Peregrine Saddleback Otago Pinot Gris

Peregrine, Central Otago, New Zealand

This wine is made from fruit from the Cromwell basin (95%) and Gibbston (5%) sub-regions. The 2008 growing season was long with above average temperatures providing the perfect conditions for Pinot Gris. Individual vineyard lots were kept separate and cool fermented in stainless steel vats to retain fruit character. The wine was then left to mature on yeast lees for two months to add extra mouth feel and complexity. "A classic Central Otago Pinot Gris made in a style where maintaining fruit freshness was paramount. An elegant wine that delivers a palate reminiscent of ripe pears and stonefruit Lovely drinking now, this wine will continue to develop and impress over the next few years."

2009 Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Gris

Whitehaven Wine Company, Marlborough, New Zealand

Normally $22. 90/100 from Bob Campbell who writes "Attractive pure fruit flavours with classic pear and white peach. Silken-textured wine in off/dry style with delicately drying tannins that are not in the least bit coarse. Cleverly made Pinot Gris." This is always consistently excellent and at this price it makes it even more tasty!