Hawkshead Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021

Hawkshead Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021Dry style Citrus & apricot Slight mineral tones Gentle acidity "The delicious 2021 vintage (5*) was hand picked at Gibbston (45 per cent) and in the Cromwell Basin (55 per cent), and 20 per cent of the blend was handled in seasoned oak barriques. Matured on its yeast lees for four months, it is attractively scented and weighty, with deep, ripe pear and lychee flavours, slightly spicy notes, excellent vibrancy, delicacy and poise, and a lingering,

• Dry style
• Citrus & apricot
• Slight mineral tones
• Gentle acidity

"The delicious 2021 vintage (5*) was hand-picked at Gibbston (45 per cent) and in the Cromwell Basin (55 per cent), and 20 per cent of the blend was handled in seasoned oak barriques. Matured on its yeast lees for four months, it is attractively scented and weighty, with deep, ripe pear and lychee flavours, slightly spicy notes, excellent vibrancy, delicacy and poise, and a lingering, rounded, fully dry (1 gram/litre of residual sugar) finish. Best drinking 2023+" Michael Cooper, Michael Cooper’s Buyers Guide 2022 Edition

"A terrific rendition of the variety, showing Nashi pear, rockmelon, apricot and rich floral aromas on the nose, followed by a concentrated palate offering excellent weight and plush mouthfeel. Silky and flowing with a persistent delectable finish. At its best: now to 2029" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

"Bright, even pale yellow. The wine possesses clean and pure, soft aromas of lemon balm, Nashi pear, opening up to quince paste and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, good concentration and weight on the palate, very crisp fruit aromas of Nashi pear, lemon balm and quince melded with ginger and verbena, lily and honeysuckle linger and growing in depth. Balance and gentle acidity is integrated, unfolding a hint of grapefruit pith. The flavours are harmonious with richness and depth. Match with pulled pork and gyoza over the next 3-5 years. Fruit from 45% Gibbston 55% Cromwell Basin, fermented with 80% indigenous yeast and 20% inoculated to 13.5% alc, 1 g/l RS. Rested on lees for 4 months, 20% older French oak barrique & 80% stainless steel" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, Dec 2021

"Dry, crisp pinot gris from Gibbston with poached pear, spicy apple, honeysuckle and a hint of oyster-shell and saline character supported by bright, refreshing acidity" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Dec 2021

"Dusty minerality, pear, apricot, fruit pastilles, real interest here. Classic stonefruit characters, cashew nut, a honeyed note yet not sweet with a spicy finish. Great fruit intensity and richness; a line of acid running through this to keep it fresh. Lovely balance and sheer drinkability, fruit sweet yet dry. Delicious" Mark Henderson, Otago Daily Times

2021 Pinot Gris is singing of lime, tangy citrus with perfumed sweet honeysuckle, and a hint of apricot. Those aromatics fulfil their promise on the palate. Sumptuous fruit flavours, gentle acidity, slight mineral tones and a richly textured, elegant mouthfeel give the wine great length. This dry style, very aromatic Pinot Gris displays impressive fruit sweetnesss and will fool your palate. it has only 1 gram of residual sugar per litre. Their Pinot Gris will dance over your palate with the poise and tension of an accoplished ballet dancer and the long, lingering, refreshing finish will make it memorable.

This Pinot Gris was harvested int he second wee of April with 45% of fruit grown in Gibbston and 55% in Cromwell Basin.

Grapes were whole bunched pressed and fermented for 6 weeks at 14-19ºC. The wine rested on lees for 4 months after fermentation, with 20% maturing in older French oak barriques and 80% in stainless steel. Wine was filtered for clarification but was not fined - making this an excellent vegan friendly option. Wine was bottled on 30th September.