This line-up of pinot gris ran the gamut from wines that tasted
like an alcoholic tinned fruit salad to some that suggested
sucking on cardboard that had been dipped in fruit juice.
But between were some delicious ones, with mouthfilling fruit
balanced by a crisp acidity and a long finish.
◊ BEST VALUE
Lake Hayes Central Otago Pinot Gris 2009.
(about $25)
This oozes ripe peach, pear and tropical fruit with a hint of
citrus, but it's the juicy, mouthfilling crispness, intensity
and lively long finish that give this wine such charm.
- Four stars (out of five)
- Good Value
www.amisfield.co.nz
◊ BEST VALUE
Triplebank Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009.
(about
$24)
I've enjoyed this wine from the Awatere alley since its first
vintage about five years ago, and this release is no
exception.
It oozes ripe tropical fruit - papaya, mango - but its silky
texture hints of biscuits and nuts and it has a bright tingly
finish.
- Four stars (out of five)
- Good value
www.pernod-ricard-pacific.com
The Ned Waihopai River
Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009
(about $19)
A pale brownish tinge in this wine is unusual in a pinot
gris, but there's simple sweet fruit, with a hint of
creaminess and a dryish, slightly bitter finish.
- Two stars (out of five)
- Average value
www.thened.co.nz
Olssens Tom Logan Central
Otago Pinot Gris 2009
(about $28)
The first vintage of this wine, it is in a medium style,
attractively fragrant and oozing fruit - pineapple and peach.
A big wine, bright, intense and sweet with a hot but crisp
finish.
- Three stars (out of five)
- Below average value
www.olssens.co.nz
Lawson's Dry Hills
Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009
(about $26)
A mouthfilling wine with rich fruit, a hint of mineral and
underlying savoury flavours and textures. It's dense but
harmonious.
- Four stars (out of five)
- Average value
www.lawsonsdryhills.co.nz
Ohau Gravels Pinot Gris
2009
(about $23)
From a new vineyard in the new Kapiti wine area, this oozes
golden peach, pear, tropical fruit - a bit like a fruit
salad, but it has an attractive, juicy intensity.
- Three stars (out of five)
- Average value
www.ohaugravels.co.nz
Two stars
- simple, clean, enjoyable wine; three stars - good
wine with varietal characteristics; four stars - very
good wine with some outstanding characteristics; five
stars - outstanding wine with balance and harmony that
leaves you with a sense of wonder.
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate
preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is
subjective. These are personal recommendations.
- charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
