TOP OF THE TASTING
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Beach House Ohiti Road Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 ($21.99) Silver Medal
This pinot gris is made from an old French clone (Entav-intra 457) where the bunches are made up of normal-sized berries as well as very small berries (hen and chicken). This effect really boosts the flavour intensity. “Some lovely warm oak, vanilla, baked apple and lots of fruit up front,” noted Jo, while Yvonne enjoyed its freshness, white fruits, lithe texture and minerality. It was the concentrated, flavoursome finish that won the judges over.
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Ceres Swansong Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 ($27.95) Silver Medal
If you’re looking for elegance you’ve come to the right place. Central Otago has something special in the soil to create distinct minerality and zing in their pinot gris. This single-vineyard wine has precision and depth, lovely fruit definition and serious complexity to complement rose-like florals and generosity in the mouth. While being warm and inviting on one hand, this Central Otago stunner boasts subtlety, elegance and a deliciously refreshing presence.
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Lawsons Dry Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 ($20) Silver Medal
Sourced from two vineyards in the Waihopai Valley, it’s clear that 2019 was kind to these grapes. “With pristine green apple and lovely length, it’s a very nice wine,” noted Cameron, while Jo enjoyed the dry, spiced apple and pear flavours. This rich style impressed the judges with its lift of florals and plump, pawpaw characters.
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Awatere River Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 ($18.99) Silver Medal
“Fine bouquet of fresh, crunchy red apple combined with quince and pear,” noted Cameron, while Jo also felt it had instant juicy appeal and rich, textural characters. A very pretty, floral-forward style from Marlborough that our judges felt had real “silkiness” in the mouth. Delicious.
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Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 ($24.95) Silver Medal
The winemaking team at Mills Reef are total pinot gris pros (and it shows). With its heady citrus blossom, almond and hazelnut aromas and a splash of sweetness, the spicy, moreish mid-palate in this little cracker sent it to silver straight away. A sexy style, with good balance, definition and power on the finish.
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Greystone North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2018 ($28) Silver Medal
We were confident that Waipara would probably produce a few stars in our lineup, being the pinot gris goldmine that it is. Winemaker Dom Maxwell has somehow packed impossible amounts of nashi, spice, apple and quince characters into 750ml and that’s a magical feat. It’s a hugely attractive style that’ll please the crowds.
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Neck of the Woods Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 ($28) Silver Medal
With ripe fruit, marzipan and caramelised crumble-like characters, this is a super satisfying example that boasts a racy, delicately dry mouthfeel. “Rich, ripe and well structured,” noted Yvonne, it also shows “a lovely line of acidity and great texture,” remarked Jo. Classic, lush, vibrant and showing lush lanolin-like purity and a splash of sweetness – its no surprise it landed a top spot.
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Saint Clair Family Estate Origin Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 ($21.50) Silver Medal
This an ultra-clean, ultra-floral style oozing ripe pear, strudel spices, nashi and white peach characters. “Gorgeous precision and definition, with lovely white florals and layers of flavour,” noted Yvonne, while Cameron was wowed by its “delicate fruit entry, purity, freshness and nicely textured, solid finish.
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Spade Oak Voysey Series Gisborne Pinot Gris 2019 ($20) Silver Medal
Crafted from the Italian clone of pinot gris, known as M2, which makes a great New World style with the freshness of pinot grigio and the weight and texture of Kiwi gris. “Lovely, fresh, apple-like nose and finesse on the palate,” remarked Cameron – that word ‘fresh’ appeared in every judge’s note for this fantastic entry.