Some pinot gris can be fairly characterless, but when there's lush fruit or a textural element from barrel fermentation or lees, stirring it can be both delicious and interesting.
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
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.
Selaks Heritage Reserve Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010, $20
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
Rich and mouthfilling with a savoury undertone, texture, complexity, power and a long finish.
Three and a half stars
Average value
An attractive wine with suggestions of pear and white peach, hints of nuts and mineral,and a crisp finish.
Three stars
Bbelow average value
Hints of pears and a creamy, nutty undertone with a fresh finish.
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Luscious fruit hinting of ripe peaches and mango, a suggestion of caramel, sweet on the palate and a hot finish unbalanced by high (15%) alcohol. A late harvest style.
Four stars
Average value
A new, grey-labelled series from Stoneleigh, this hints of pear, peach and ginger with generous fruit, slightly nutty undertones and a lingering finish.
Five stars
Good value
A complex wine, textural and elegant, but with luscious fruit, savoury undertones and a long,firm finish. This will develop with several years bottle age.
ANOTHER GLASS
Seifried Nelson Pinot Gris 2011, $21
Two and a half stars
Below average value
This wine has a pinkish tinge, suggestions of pears, stewed apples and mineral and a crisp slightly hard finish.
Gladstone 12,000 Miles Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2011, $20
Three and a half stars
Average value
Lovely fruit expression with hints of pears and tinned peaches, tightly structured and dry onthe finish.
Morton Estate Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2009, $19
Three and a half stars
Average value
At two years old this is golden in colour and mature in flavour, mouthfilling with hints of quince, caramel and savoury undertones, and a dry finish. Drinking nicely.
