Pinot Gris/Blanc/Gruner Veltiner

Winemaker's Notes:  Full-bodied richness, brilliant orange citrus, white pepper aromatics and a savoury, textural palate exemplify this our Marlborough Gruner Veltliner. With the variety originally hailing from Austria, we feel our rendition takes on the best of European structure and New Zealand fruit opulence. The fruit was hand-picked from two vineyards in the Central Wairau subregion, gently pressed and fermented in both stainless steel and 500L French oak puncheons. It spent 10 months maturing on fine lees which has given increased texture and complexity. We like to call it G.V. or Gruner - you can call it anything you...

Comments by winemaker, Wilco Lam: The 2016 Dry River Pinot Gris is initially a bit shy, which is to be expected of a young wine, but progressively the complexities start to become evident. Kiwi fruit, rock melon and white flesh stone-fruit are the obvious fruit aromas. We gladly welcome the stewed rhubarb character I often saw in our past Pinot gris. Bay leaf, ground galangal, and other Indian spices like cardamom and caraway seed add further interest. Candle nuts and vanilla pod bring a grounding effect and entice to finally start tasting! The wine appears drier than previous releases, the residual sugar is approximately 20 g/l, which might...

WINEMAKER NOTES: I favour drinking aged Pinot gris wines on account of the complexity, subtlety, mouthfeel and more obvious weight that comes with maturity. For me, the young wine frequently lacks the ebullience and upfront charm of young Gewurtz or Sauvignon blancs that would be needed to compensate for the extra qualities that come with time. These wines are a rewarding proposition for cellaring for 5+ years, but remember, the variety does lack the robustness of Riesling and Sauvignon blanc, and your cellaring conditions should pamper them. The wine is greenish straw in colour and it has a nose which displays floral, quince and ripe peach...

Notes from Duncan: The ultimate in food friendly wines, Gruner goes with just about anything and anyone. A fruit driven style of Gruner Veltliner with a lithe texture, medium weight in a dry style. Floral, white pepper, and pip-fruit aromas on the nose , similar fruit flavours including spice and pears come through on the palate, all underpinned by mineral characters and refreshing acidity. We aim to produce wines of purity, precision and balance with a clear resonance of flavour. The wine is drinking extremely well now but can be cellared with confidence for two to four years. Certified organic, Morrison vineyard, Pisa.