At the top of the South Island of New Zealand is Blenheim where the Catalina Sounds wines hail from, these are elegant, cool and collected styles that show how well Pinot Gris is developing as an alternative to the ubiquitous Sauvignon Blanc. This is much more textured and layered with a creamy mouthfeel, pure, pear fruit expression and naturally balanced acids. A perfect food wine, pair it with pork or fish for best results.
This wine was fermented in a combination of stainless steel and oak puncheon (17%) followed by regular lees stirring to build texture. Brilliant pale straw colour with watery hue. The nose displays lifted aromas of ripe pear, tropical fruits and musk followed by some confectionary. The palate has good richness with mouthfilling ripe pear, tropical fruits and musk flavours dominate followed by a touch of spice on the off dry finish. Good acidity and mouthfeel with aftertaste of ripe pear, musk and light spice. Drink over the next 1-2 years.
Past Accolades and Awards:
Bronze: NZ International Wine Show Bronze: International Aromatic Wine Competition Bronze: Spiegelau International Wine Show
Raymond Chan: 18/20 Brilliant pale straw-yellow colour with a suggestion of blush, pale edged. The nose is very fine in expression, with gentle aromatics of white florals, exotic fruits and honeysuckle at the core and a fresh cut. Dry to taste, the palate is elegant and refined with softly concentrated exotic floral fruits, rose-petals, spices and honey. The mouthfeel is smooth and follows a satin-like line with balanced, lacy acidity providing good tension and youthful drive. The flavours are carried to a long, well-focussed finish with lingering aromatic nuances. This is a stylish, soft-textured dry Pinot Gris with exotic fruitiness. Match with Asian cuisine over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from the home Waihopi Valley vineyard, hand-picked and WBP. 45% stainless-steel fermented with high solids over 40-50 days. 17% warm-fermented in French oak puncheons with 2 months batonnage, and 38% cool-fermented clean in stainless-steel.
