Top White – Pinot Gris / Aromatics

07-Jan-2022

There are six Pinot Gris in this lineup; it happens that I have picked three wines from the Waitaki region, three different vintages, all different in style. Valli's first dry Pinot Gris from this region that I could recall, from vintage 2020; bone-dry, highly concentrated, showing lots of spice fragrances and crunchy minerality, excellent site expression. Boutique producer Q Wine Pinot Gris 2021 is fleshier in comparison, expressive, concentrated and oily textured. Nockie's Palette mainly sells online and good restaurants and through their cellar door in Lake Hayes. The 2019 has a very different style, produced with late-harvested grapes, barrel-fermented to dry; powerful on the palate carries zesty citrus, honey and warm spices, ethereally unctuous on the palate. Neck of The Woods Pinot Gris 2021 fruit was sourced from the Pisa sub-region in Central Otago, clean and crisp, sleek and refined. Gisborne's Spade Oak The Co-Ordinate Pinot Gris 2020 is larger in production than the South Island producers, but not short of attention, 75% fermented in neutral barrel, elegant and textural, generous fruit showing Gisborne sunshine and warmth with balanced acidity. North Canterbury organic producer Terrace Edge produce a plush, textural Pinot Gris carries baked pear, toffee apple and warm spices with a savoury finish.

The aromatics are a small range, but all of them are extremely impressive. Nelson boutique producer Blackenbrook Pinot Blanc 2021 is brilliantly concentrated, complex and unctuous, an excellent example of Pinot Blanc. Another boutique producer from Central Otago Hawkshead is dry and textural, harmoniously lingering. Alexandra producer Three Miners Chinaman Stone Gewurztraminer is rich and powerful with a complex range of flavours, yet dry and delicate. Spade Oak The Co-Ordinate Makauri Gewurztraminer 2020 from Gisborne is voluminous and well-balanced, showing pretty fragrances of lily, rose, and tropical fruit with length and depth.

Read my reviews below or join me to taste them in Queenstown's newest establishment 11th Ave by Frank's on 18th Jan or in Auckland on the 20th Jan at Cahn's Wines & Spirits. Ticket links :

Queenstown 18 Jan: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/237150442357

Auckland 20 Jan: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/236587308007

*Use the code "TOPWHITE" on the below websites to apply a discount to buy direct.

Nockie's Palette  - 10% off

Spade Oak - 10% off

Q Wine - Join Q wine club to apply 30% off

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Valli Waitaki Vineyard Pinot Gris 2020, North Otago
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 29-Nov-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, pale-yellow colour. This wine has an enticing bouquet filled with white blossom, ginger, anise seeds, melded with ripe Nashi pear and a suggestion of peach. Medium-light bodied, highly concentrated aromas of Nachi pear, peach and white blossom, enlivened by ginger, anise seeds and linger with citrus peel. The wine is mouth-filling; a slightly oily texture carries silky phenolic, lightly coated that palate. High intensity and concentrated flavours emphasised by spice; crisp, minerally acidity support with freshness and backbone. This is an elegantly crisp Pinot Gris with intensely concentrated flavour, seamless vibrant acidity and minerality, a great expression of Waitaki. Match with salt & pepper calamari and duck pancake over the next 5+ years. Fruit from Grant's Road, small bunches (average 75g per bunch), handpicked, whole bunch pressed, 65% to neutral barriques and puncheons, the balance to stainless steel tank to 13.5%, 1 g/l RS, left on its lees for 6 months. 19-/20 pts (95 pts) RRP $34
• Q Wine Pinot Gris 2021, Waitaki Valley
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 26-Aug-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is full, with depth, enticing aromas of peach, pear drop, lemon interweave citrus blossoms and ginger powder. Medium-full bodied, dry to taste, concentrated aromas of peach, citrus lead the palate, enriched by young ginger, floral and peach. The palate is smooth-flowing with a lightly oily texture; lively acidity energises the intensity of fruit. This is an expressive Pinot Gris with depth of flavours and a lively drive. Match with whitebait fritters and kingfish crudo over the next 3-4 years. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed, fermented to 14.1% alc, 2 g/l RS, 10% French oak usage, aged 3 months. 440 cases produced. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Aug 2021 RRP $30
• Nockie’s Palette Pinot Gris 2019, Waitaki Valley
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 12-May-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliantly bright, light golden-yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is softly growing in spice and power, nuances of citrus, dried pear melded with an amalgam of spices and a hint of honey. Full-bodied, dry to taste, an exquisite palate filled with aromas of preserved lemon, citrus zest and ginger, unfolding nashi pear, rich honey essence and warm spices linger to a dry, citrusy finish. The wine has an ethereal unctuous mouthfeel, carry ginger and spices throughout; lively acidity cleanses the palate. The fruit has concentration and power, subtle beeswax and honey element added interest. This is powerful, dry Pinot Gris with citrus and pear fruit, ample spices on an ethereal, smooth palate. Match with veal tenderloin and squid risotto over the next 5 years. Late harvested Pinot Gris, barrel-fermented to dry, 14.5% alc. Vegan friendly. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) May 2021 RRP $39
• Neck Of The Woods Pinot Gris 2021, Central Otago
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 16-Nov-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even pale yellow colour with a slight green sheen. The nose is softly fragranced with Nashi pear, citrus melded with delicate floral. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, the wine is elegantly presented with a concentration of Nashi pear, quince and kumquat, interweave balanced, delicate floral and gingery spice lingers. The fruit has a pure, cleansing essence; crisp, lacy acidity carries subtle spice through a refined palate, possesses fine-textured phenolics, displayed in a lightly chalky mouthfeel. This is an elegant, crisp Pinot Gris with crunchy fruit adorned by delicate floral and a sleek flow. Match with dim sum and lemongrass steamed fish over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from Pisa subregion handpicked, whole bunches foot-stomped, pressed and settled overnight, racked to fermented in stainless steel 80%, left on lees for 2 months and neutral barrels 20%, left on lees for 3.5 months. 13% alc, 3.5g/l RS. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Nov 2021 RRP $28
• Spade Oak The Co-Ordinates Ormond Pinot Gris 2020, Gisborne
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Gisborne

  Review Date : 11-Jun-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, medium straw-yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is voluminous, layered aromas of lifted five-spice intermix ripe Nashi pear, quince, a whiff of white floral, honeysuckles followed. Medium-full bodied, dry-ish to taste, ripe Nashi pear, quince along with lemon and zest melded with five-spice dusting and florals hints. The wine has intense fruit aromas; delicate spices added interest; brilliant acidity brings freshness and drive to the palate, along with fine-textured phenolics that provides a textural flow. This is a refined Pinot Gris with generous fruit, acid freshness and a fine-textured palate. Match with Vietnamese pork spring rolls and lemongrass fish over the next 5 years. Machine picked, destemmed, short cold-soaked, barrel-fermented in neutral French barrels (75%), the balance stop fermented and aged on light lees in 2500 litre oval for 7 months. 13.5% alc, 6 g/l RS. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) June 2021 RRP $28
• Terrace Edge Pinot Gris 2021, North Canterbury
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 08-Nov-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale-straw yellow with some depth. The bouquet is fresh and softly penetrating crunchy apple and pear interweave a layer of delicate spice and floral fragrances. Medium-full bodied, off-dry to taste, the palate is plush, filled with baked pear, toffee apple aromas, unfolding ginger, cardamom and white floral. Fine-textured phenolic left an elegant, silky mouthfeel, along with an oily, plush flow, carry flavour richness to a lingering, savoury finish. This is a textural Pinot Gris with concentrated baked pear and toffee apple, balanced acidity on a fleshy palate. Match with chicken satay and lemongrass pork over the next 5 years. 60% barrel-fermented, 13% alc. Organic certified. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Nov 2021 RRP $26
• Blackenbrook Pinot Blanc 2021, Nelson
  Pinot Blanc from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 01-Oct-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, pale straw-yellow colour. The nose is softly full, filled the glass with aromas of apple, pear, citrus and its zest melded with a white flower bouquet and a hint of spice. Medium-bodied, brilliant concentration on the palate, fronting apple, pear, grapefruit zest aromas, a layer of delicate pink peppercorn, white floral lingers with a touch of honey. The mouthfeel is oily, almost unctuous, elegantly carries the spice throughout the palate with the support of mouthwatering acidity. The fruit had excellent concentration, filled the palate with weight and depth of flavour. This is an excellent example of Pinot Blanc with a concentrated varietal character and a lush mouthfeel. Match with Thai style steamed fish and pork chops over the next 5 years. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed, cool-fermented to 14% alc, 6g/l RS, extended lees contact, 5% oak-aged, unfined. Vegan friendly. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Oct 2021 RRP $29
• Hawkshead Pinot Blanc 2021, Central Otago
  Pinot Blanc from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 23-Nov-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, pale yellow. The wine has soft aromas with richness and spice, nuances of bee pollen carried by lemon, lemon zest and pear, honeysuckle and a hint of white pepper. The aromas are slowly growing in volume. Medium-full bodied, dry-ish to taste, a citrus core of lemon, grapefruit zest melded with pear and honeysuckle, bee pollen enriched the palate, subtle lifting of white pepper linger on the closing. The wine has focus and concentration, integrated harmoniously. The feature of the wine is its texture; delicate, fine-textured phenolics provide a light grip, appear almost unctuous; citrus and pollen persist, endure an enticing, thirst-quenching lemon honey tea aftertaste. This is a textural Pinot Blanc with a citrus core, pollen and white spice, harmonious and lingering. Match with pan-fried whole sole and macaroni & cheese over the next 6+ years. Fruit from Cromwell Basin, whole bunch pressed, wild-fermented in stainless steel to 13%, 8 g/l RS., rested on lees for 4 months. Vegan friendly. 18.5+/20 pts (94 pts) Nov 2021 RRP $31.75
• Three Miners Chinaman Stone Gewurztraminer 2021, Central Otago
  Gewurztraminer from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 26-Oct-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale yellow with a green hue, even colour throughout. The nose is softly full, filled the glass with rose petal nuance, ginger underlying lychee and citrus. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, citrus and its pith leads the palate, unfolding lychee, ginger powder and rich floral of roses. The wine has richness and concentration, enlivened by gingery spice and lean acid focus. The mouthfeel possesses fine-textured phenolic flow with underlying alcohol power, ginger spice and deep floral expression. This is a dry and elegant Gewurztraminer with profound rose petal, ginger aromatics adorned by delicate lychee and lime on a focused palate with power and grace. Match with chicken & herb salad with Nuoc Cham and spring rolls over the next 3-4 years. Fruit was sourced from Three Miners Vineyard, near Alexandra, handpicked, whole bunch pressed to neutral barrels for wild-fermentation and a portion in tank inoculated with cultured yeast, 14% alc. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Oct 2021 RRP $38
• Spade Oak The Co-Ordinates Makauri Gewurztraminer 2020, Gisborne
  Gewurztraminer from New Zealand - Gisborne

  Review Date : 11-Jun-2021

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale yellow, even colour throughout. The bouquet is appealing, softly filled with tropical fruit of lychee, papaya, interweave ginger, lily blossoms and rose petals. Medium-full bodied, dry-ish to taste, voluminous aromas of lilies, rose petals and ginger, underlying freshly peeled lychees, sweet papaya. The fruit is fresh with perfect ripeness, concentrated with subtle power. Balanced acidity enhanced flavours and freshness, linger with ginger and floral scent to a long finish. This is a well-balanced Gewurztraminer with complex varietal characters and depth. Match with spicy papaya salad and chicken satay over the next 5 + years. Machine picked, destemmed, cold-soaked 6 hours, fermented to 13.3% alc, 6 g/l RS. 19-/20 pts (95 pts) June 2021 RRP $28