King Estate 2007 Pinot Gris

This week’s selection:

Winery: King Estate
Varietal: Pinot Gris
Price Paid: $14.99
Vintage: 2007
Area: Oregon
Alcohol: 13%
Purchased: Meijer

Overall: What a great wine for the price! Citrus, peach, melon, mineral, acidity - delightful. Still drank well after 3-4 days. If you are not familiar with Pinot Gris it is of the Pinot family and can make full-bodies whites that are soft and aromatic and can also be heavily extracted. Think pink skin grape version of Pinot Noir. It does extremely well in Oregon (obviously as does Pinot Noir). Known as Pinot Grigio in Italy, Malvoisie in the Loire,… Seriously, get away from Chardonnay for a moment and try this.



Reviews:
K & L Wines (Out of San Francisco, one of my favorite wine shops in the world. I ordered off of them often before Michigan outlawed it.)
92 points Wine & Spirits: "This elegant Gris leads with a leesy pear scent, accented by a floral note that recalls lilac. Its flavors fall between pear and pear skin, with a faint bitter almond note that gives it the firmness for pork loin." (06/09)

90 points Wine Spectator: "Light and silky, shining a vivid beam of lemon, melon and pear flavors through the persistent finish. Drink now through 2011." (05/09)

Rich and honeyed like an Alsatian Pinot Gris, Oregon's 2007 King Estate Pinot Gris is flaxen-hued with a nose redolent of melon, pineapple, pear, sweet white flowers and baking spice. In the mouth it is like morning dew, with tropical and stone fruit flavors and clean, refreshing acidity.

Winemaker’s Notes:
Appearance: Golden straw with brilliant highlights. Aroma: Ripe peach, sweet grapefruit, blood orange and tropical fruits. Mouthfeel: Lively flavors of Rio Star grapefruit, orange zest, kiwi and pear.