Friend came back from New Zealand and brought a few treats. Had these over some Japanese food, a new secret spot.
Gibbston Valley, Central Otago, School House, Pinot Gris, 2022, 12% abv.
Nose: initally reserved, light notes of white fruits and a hint of tropical fruit notes, but after significant air time I am getting sweet honeycomb, honeyed fruit, cream.
Palate: medium palate but closer to full, entry is viscous floral honey, mid palate is unsalted butter! but after some significant air time it becomes more tropical with light unripe mangoes, passionfruit, more thick mangosteen, green grapes, hint of white raisins, back palate is honey. Wow, amazing. Is this really Pinot Gris?!?!
Finish: short, honey, fruity simple syrup, minimal to no alcohol.
Vernacular: nose is primary with tropical fruit, followup on secondary. Medium bodied, fresh, medium acidity, low minerality. Finish is very short, dry, and minimal alcohol.
This doesn't seem dry even though it is marketed as, but a crazy bottle! This is the best "unaged" pinot gris I've had the honor of trying… but I haven't had many, just a lot of supermarket pinot grigio at company parties decades ago.
Grade: B
Trinity Hill, Hawke's Bay, Thompson's Block, Syrah, 2020, 13.5% abv.
Nose: floral, rich grape candies, savory, balanced by iron, copper, hints of aluminum, and hints of butter, cedar bits, hint of a vanilla balsa. Amazing. Reminds me of a heavier version of certain floral burgundies. Wow.
Palate: medium body, entry is rich grape juice leading to a mid palate full of grapes, currants, flowers, a good amount of butter, floral oils, back palate has butter, good amount of vanilla, purple grapes, a variety of flowers, syrup. A serious balance between fruit and the oak vanillins. Interestingly, no olives. Wondering if the butter-like elements are from new oak or from the prior pinot gris?
Finish: short, a bit dry, light grapeskins, very floral, sap, syrup.
Vernacular: moderate floral bouquet with candied fruit and a plethora of minerality. Medium body showcasing good acidity, well integrated and silky tannins, moderate to strong secondary, leading to a short finish.
Goddamm good stuff. Too bad they dont make this anymore.
Grade: B+
by starvinggigolo