Hans Herzog Pinot Gris 2018

Accolades:
5 stars – Michael Cooper
96/100 – Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage)

“Prepare for something different! Estate-grown on the northern side of the Wairau Valley, the 2018 vintage is a thought-provoking wine, like its predecessors. Orange-hued, from long skin contact with the juice, it was partly oak-aged (20 per cent of the blend was matured for nine months in partly new French oak puncheons). Mouthfilling, it has strong peach, apricot and spice flavours, a hint of strawberry, impressive complexity and a dry, lasting finish. Now in full stride, it’s certified organic.” – Michael Cooper

Tasting Note: From one of New Zealand’s pioneers of Pinot Gris. Stunning opulent aromas of apricots and rock melon. Vivaciously mouth-filling with invigorating fruit driving through the forefront, wonderfully sweet fruit from physiological ripeness, but a crisp balanced finish with added texture. A beautiful long honeyed finish for a dry Pinot Gris with no residual sugar.

Winemakers Notes: “A long extended cold soak on the skin extracted the superb flavours and brilliant pink colour. I then let the must progress to its natural (wild yeast) fermentation without any residual sugar. 20% of the wine went into French oak puncheons and its fine lees regular stirred assisting to its remarkable silkiness, complexity and depth. This wine has not been exposed to cold stabilization and fining with only a light filtration to retain the elusive aromas. Natural sediments may show and are testimony of this high quality wine. Perfect in taste, naturally.” – Hans Herzog

Certification: Organic

Alcohol Volume: 13.5%

Variety: Pinot Gris

Region: Marlborough, New Zealand