WINE REVIEWS: Pinot Gris

Pinot gris can be fresh and fruity, overblown and hot with high alcohol or, as with some of the most interesting ones, complex with barrel fermentation and lees ageing.

 

BEST VALUE

Invivo Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012

$22

Four stars (out of five)

Good value

A bold, flavoursome wine, aromatic and mouth-filling with ripe pear, peach and apple, a suggestion of nuts and a textural,well-balanced, firm finish.

www.invivowines.com

 

BEST VALUE

Ara Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012

$22

Four stars

Good value

A delicious wine, fragrant with lovely fruit intensity - pear and peach with a slight nutty undertone, texture and a fresh,well-balanced, dryish finish.

VVVwww.arawines.com

 

 

Thornbury Waipara Pinot Gris 2011

$21

Three and a half stars

Average value

Rich, with sweet ripe - almost overripe - apple and pear, hints of nuts, mouth-filling and hot on the finish. Look for it on special at $14.

www.thornbury.co.nz

 

 

Brancott Estate Flight Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012

$27

Three stars

Below average value

This is one of Brancott's lower alcohol (9%) wines. It's pale, fragrant, with simple, flavours and a light sweetness on the finish. Often found on special.

www.brancottestate.co.nz

 

 

Lawson's Dry Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012

$26

Four stars

Average value

Light aromas but full-on, exuberant flavours - ripe pear, peach, citrus, nuts, caramel and even hints of fennel, concentrated with texture from some barrel fermentation.

This is a delicious take on a sometimes boring variety, but you expect no less from Lawson's.

www.lawsonsdryhills.co.nz

 

Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011

$30

Four and a half stars

Average value

Another mouth-filling wine with lots of flavour - oozing ripe pears and peaches, and complex nutty, buttery caramel notes, it's also balanced, harmonious and charming, as expected from winemaker Kevin Judd. This will develop with another year or two's bottle age.

www.greywacke.com