05-May-2011
There's a saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it”, and this applies to Palliser Estate's Pinot Gris. There is the urge to see how lean, steely and minerally winemakers can go in one direction with Pinot Gris, or look at how much complexity can be added by oak, lees, malo and all the other things on the playlist, in the other direction. Catching up with winemaker Allan Johnson last week, I detected his innate urge to have a little play with his Palliser Estate Pinot Gris, but he was wise in understanding what the fruit and vineyard has said over many vintages. Straight down the middle of the line, with good weight and ripeness, a little sweetness, a restrained amount of lees contact, and above all full varietal character. The success and track record for the label has said "it ain't broke…” www.palliser.co.nz
