COLOUR

Straw yellow.

NOSE

A Lifted nose of freshly cut pear, stone fruit and sweet spice.

PALATE

A refreshing style of Pinot Gris with mouth filling flavours and a long, generous finish.

SERVE

Chilled.

PEAK DRINKING

Now - 2014

SUGGESTED FOOD MATCH

Heavier white meats with a moderately rich palate like slow cooked pork.

ALCOHOL VOLUME

14.0%

ACIDITY

5.8 g/L

RESIDUAL SUGAR

5.6 g/L

VINTAGE REGION

The Pinot Gris is a South Island blend sourced mainly from our key regions - Marlborough and Waipara Valley. The gravelly soils in the Waipara Valley offer minerality and elegant structure, while the heavier soil sites in Marlborough provide the ripe stone fruit characters and a lovely oiliness to the palate.

VINTAGE CONDITIONS

Our vineyards throughout the South Island were blessed with an exceptional year in 2011 for Pinot Gris. All regions saw bud break in late September followed by a warm spring without frost. Adequate rainfall and warm temperatures meant the shoots grew quickly and flower was earlier than normal. After January the season cooled which allowed for an extended ripening period.

GRAPE VARIETY

100% Pinot Gris

MATURATION

Our South Island Pinot Gris was harvested throughout the first two weeks in April. Starting with Marlborough on the 4th and finishing in the Waipara Valley on the 14th. Once harvested the grapes were transported to the winery, gently pressed and settled in tank. The warm fermentation started with a handful of selected yeast strains. After the completion of ferment the wine was left to mature on full lees for up to three months to enhance structure and mouth feel. After blending the wine was fined using natural methods and prepared for bottling.