Kumeu River Pinot Gris 2009. REGION: Kumeu, Auckland NZ
Alc 13.5%
Winemaker: Michael Brajkovich, MW
The 2009 vintage is our twelfth vintage of Pinot Gris and with the vines getting older we are seeing more complexity each year. Some light rain a few weeks before the grapes were due to be picked introduced some botrytis (noble rot), but fortunately this dried off before harvest and only added to the richness and complexity of the grape juice. The resulting wine is an excellent example of Pinot Gris.
The aromas have typical peach and stone fruit notes tinged with the floral perfume that we have come to expect from Pinot Gris. On the palate the wine is rich and complex with an oily texture that coats the tongue and lingers on the palate, with a lovely length of flavour. Pinot Gris is a variety that goes particularly well with food, including quite intensely flavoured dishes. It is also one of the few wine styles that can handle the spiciness of chilli, so together with the sweet succulence of prawns, a nicely chilled bottle of Kumeu River Pinot Gris makes up a spectacular combination.