American - White: Pinot Gris

An austere yet very well balanced Pinot Gris exhibiting melon, white peach and apricot aromas as well as spice, butter and floral notes on the nose. The palate is a combination of pear, melon and white peach fruit flavors with mineral and light butter undertones giving way to a long, lingering finish. A very nice expression of this wonderful grape variety.

The color is golden straw with touches of pale green; it is brilliantly clear. On the nose, mandarin orange, mango and mineral aromas lead to a zingy, crisp and juicy mouthful of citrus, melon fruit and pear. Youthful, clean and bright on the palate, the wine is rich in texture and is rather full-bodied for Pinot Gris. The Alsatian concept of "ripe acidity" applies to this wine, whereby the acidity is so well integrated into the fruit that the perception of the wine is one of perfect balance, even though the acidity is crisp and refreshing.

The fruit and spice aromas are very intense with great concentration on the palate and a clean, lingering finish. The fruit is similar to ripe oranges or Clementines and the spice has an almost chili-like heat. This Pinot Gris compliments a wide variety of foods - salmon, shellfish, chicken; and is very good with spicy and Asian dishes.