WINE REVIEWS: Pinot gris

Characteristically pinot gris oozes sweet fruit hinting of pears and has a silky or oil texture but unless well balanced is often marred by the obtrusive heat of high alcohol.

BEST UNDER $20

Woven Stone Ohau Pinot Gris 2011
$17
Three stars (out of five)
Good value

From the Ohau river area just north of the Kapiti coast, this hints of pear and white peach with a suggestion of caramel and nuts on the finish.
www.wovenstone.co.nz [2]

 

 

Devil's Staircase Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011
$20
Three and a half stars
Good value

A rich wine oozing ripe pears and lightly caramelised peaches with a hint of nuttiness and attractive sweetness.
www.rockburn.co.nz [4]

 

 

 

Wild Earth Otago Pinot Gris 2011
$27
Three and a-half stars
Average value

Mainly Bannockburn fruit lifted with some from the Waitaki, this is fragrant with hints of quince and pear with a suggestion of caramelised peaches.

www.wildearthwines.co.nz [6]

 

 

 

Lawson's Dry Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$25
Four stars
Good value

Fragrant and zesty with hints of pungent herbs and flowers, a silky texture and lots of character, oozes mouthfilling fruit with hints of nuts. Not for the faint-hearted.

www.lawsonsdryhills.co.nz [8]

 

 

 

Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011
$26
Three and a-half stars
Average value 

An elegant, attractive wine with hints of nashi pear, stone and citrus fruit, and a nicely balanced finish.

www.rockburn.co.nz [4]

 

 

 

Murdoch James Blue Rock Martinborough Pinot Gris 2010
$25
Three and a-half stars
Average value

This has benefited from an extra year's bottle age, developing complexity and texture. It's mouthfilling with a nutty undertone and a dry finish.
www.murdochjames.co.nz [11]

 

 

ANOTHER GLASS

Wild South Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$20
Three stars
Average value 

A light wine, slightly sweet with a firm finish.

www.wildsouthwines.co.nz [12]

Bouldevines Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$25
Three stars
Below average value

Hints of apple and ripe pear with an oily texture and a hot finish.

www.bouldevines.co.nz [13]

Seresin Momo Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$23
Three stars
Average value 

An aromatic, mouthfilling wine with sweet fruit, a hint of caramel and a dry, hot finish.

www.seresin.co.nz [14]

Soho Jagger Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
$27
Three stars
Below average value

Dusty, floral aromas, with hints of pear, an oily texture, but although it seems to lack vibrancy, it is well balanced with a dry finish. A stylish new label with wines from around the country.

www.sohowineco.com [15]

 

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- 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 [16]
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.