Pinot Gris 2022

2022 was a interesting Marlborough vintage with better yields than the previous vintage and generally good weather throughout the season, although things did cool down for the two weeks prior to harvest. Fortunately the grapes were already sufficiently ripe and had attained an impressive flavour profile before the late season slow down. The grapes were harvested in good condition on 30 March 2022.

Our Pinot Gris block was planted in 2006, so it is now gaining vine age and this is starting to be reflected in our increasingly complex Pinot Gris style. It is important with Pinot Gris to carefully manage yields. Left unrestrained this variety can easily get out of hand and lose its precise varietal character. When well managed, with low yields, an enticing, crisp and complex wine is achievable, given the right vineyard location and an agreeable growing season.

This wine was largely fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, but a small portion was aged in seasoned oak barrels which, along with time on lees, contributes significantly to the wine’s complexity. It was bottled on 3 August 2022.

It is mid lemon in colour with enticing aromatics. The nose is instantly appealing with a rich spicy top-note, displaying complex garden florals and compelling aromas of poached pears, ripe peaches, granny smith apples, pink grapefruit, mandarin, honeysuckle, spicy cloves and a capsicum, grassy note. The palate continues the rich, spicy theme with the myriad of spices giving great mouth-feel, texture and creamy complexity to this rich, elegant wine. The predominant nashi pear and peach base is supported by a grapefruit citrus component and also a noticeable herbal influence with hints of basil. The lees influence gives it a beguiling grainy character. It has perfectly poised acidity and a refreshing crispness. The long lingering finish is very attractive and it will certainly develop even greater complexity with time to age in the bottle.

 Technical notes

Alcohol: 12.7%, Acidity: 5.2, PH: 3.67, Residual Sugar: 8.0 g/l.

 Reviews

With around 7.5g/l of residual sugar but full fruit ripeness and texture, I guess this could be described as being in the 'Alsace style', and bloomin' delicious it is too. From vines planted in 2006 and cropped low, it's a truly aromatic expression of Pinot Gris, honeysuckle and smoky mango swirling with nectarine. On the palate it is weighty and really quite dense, preserved lemon fruit and plenty of sweet, exotic flavours running into a fine core of refreshing acidity that extends the finish. It's a beauty, this. 

92/100

                                                                                               Tom Cannavan. Wine Pages.com Nov 2022

Beautifully styled and inviting, the wine shows poached pear, fig, jasmine and subtle spice aromas on the nose, followed by a succulent palate offering smooth mouthfeel and fleshy texture, well supported by bright acidity. Elegantly flavoursome with a lengthy silky finish. At its best: now to 2027.    

***** 94/100

 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Feb 2023