Varietals: Pinot Grigio

Clone:  D1V7, VCR & Entav 457

Harvest: 25 February, 2020

Baume at Harvest: 11.8

pH at Harvest: 3.49

TA at Harvest: 5.7

Grigio means ‘grey’ and refers to the skin of this variety having a dusty grey colour. Due to our cooler climate, the Yarra Valley is one of the better locations in Australia to produce Grigio with the same zesty characters as from its origin. The fruit was hand-picked to ensure juice contact with the skin is minimal. A cool tank fermentation and constant lees stirring creates an aromatic wine with taste and texture.

[2020 Vintage] – 91 Points by JamesSuckling.com, October 2020

[2019 Vintage] – 92 Points by James Halliday, 2021 Halliday Wine Companion

[2019 Vintage] – 91 Points by Nick Butler, The Real Review, March 2020

[2019 Vintage] – Gold Medal at 2019 ANZ Boutique Wine Show

[2019 Vintage] – Silver Medal at 2019 Yarra Valley Wine Show

[2019 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at 2019 Perth Royal Wine Show

[2018 Vintage] – 93 Points by James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2020

[2017 Vintage] – 93 Points by James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2019

[2017 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at 2018 Melbourne International Wine Competition

[2016 Vintage] – Silver Medal at 2016 International Cool Climate Awards

[2016 Vintage] – Bronze Medal at 2016 Melbourne International Wine Competition

[2016 Vintage] – 92 Points by James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2017

[2016 Vintage] – 91 Points by Campbell Mattinson Wine Front 2017

2020 VINTAGE

The further we got into winter, the colder and wetter it became to the past 25-year average. Spring continued in this vain with temperatures cooler than average, and rainfall higher, with the dam filling naturally in late November. December bucked the trend with abnormally high temperatures, five days above 35°C degrees and three days above 40°C and very low rainfall. This mirrored the rest of the country where the drought and high temperatures prevailed throughout Queensland and New South Wales. We thought we were staring down a very hot, dry summer to come, however, January and February brought generally cooler weather and significantly higher rainfall than normal (112mm more). Furthermore, the season started to lengthen with picking dates extending out as much as two weeks more than has been the norm recently for some varieties.

VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING

Grigio means ‘grey’ and refers to the skin of this variety having a dusty grey colour. Due to our cooler climate, the Yarra Valley is one of the better locations in Australia to produce Grigio with the same zesty characters as from its origin. The fruit was handpicked to ensure juice contact with the skin is minimal. A cool tank fermentation and constant lees stirring creates an aromatic wine with taste and texture.

TASTING

The aromatics and flavours of honeyed pear and fig are supported by fine natural acidity and a lively, fresh finish.

PAIRING

Try it with antipasti and all types of pasta and seafood.

“Attractively fresh lemon and pear-drop aromas in a very pure mode. The palate is soft yet crisp and has crunchy apple and pear flavors in a really drinkable style. 91 Points.”
JamesSuckling.com, October 2020 (2020 Vintage)

“Hand-picked to minimise skin contact, cool-fermented with prolonged lees stirring to build texture in a richly flavoured wine in a citrus spectrum. 92 Points.”
James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion, August 2020 (2019 Vintage)

“Cinnamon spiced pears, lemon rind and raw peanuts. Fresh and varietal. Time on lees has imparted a creaminess to the palate without carrying too much sweetness. Borderline gris style. Lots of flavour and interest. 91 Points.”
Nick Butler, The Real Review, March 2020 (2019 Vintage)

“Two clones, but this apart, simply vinified. The bouquet is distinctive, with nashi pear and apple skin, and a sweet and sour finish (not the least unpleasant). Plenty of complexity. 93 Points.”
James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion, August 2019 (2018 Vintage)

“Definitely in the grigio camp as it’s all lively, fresh and crisp. A touch estery, a hint of lemon blossom, nashi pear with talc-like acidity; juicy on the palate and appealing. 91 Points.”
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, August 2019 (2018 Vintage)

“Hand picked, bright crisp citrus aromas with a hint of pears, crisp acidity on the palate + a smidge of Nashi pear flavours & nice tight finish OH YUM!!”
Dan Traucki, July 2019 (2019 Vintage)

“Attractive creamy lees and spicy fruit aromas, slivered almonds, the palate spritely and fresh with lively acidityand a crisp finish. A hint of peppermint. An appetising wine.”
Huon Hooke – 90 points (2018 Vintage)

“Reminiscent of an autumnal orchard as you put your nose in the glass, with aromas of ripe apples and pears and a hint of spice in the background. Nice mouthfeel, with a sweet-fruited accent to the flavours – a mirror image of the bouquet – giving it an attractive almost juice-like quality. The acidity is soft but sufficient to do its job of keeping it crisp and fresh. Special value wine.”
Halliday Wine Companion 2019 (2017 Vintage)