Wild Earth Pinot Gris 2023

Vintage Notes
The 2022-2023 growing season was relatively warm overall with a dry Spring followed by an exceptionally warm January and near-perfect harvest conditions. The rain in late February was great for the vines. Each sub region seemed to respond a little differently to the warm summer and all seemed to thrive with the lower-than-average rainfall. The Growing Degree Days were well above the long-term average making it an optimal season for making wine in Central Otago.

Winemaking Notes
The Pinot Gris grapes that created this beautiful wine came from terraced vineyards in Bendigo (60%) and Bannockburn (40%). Each block was harvested at optimal ripeness in mid-late April in order to achieve a balanced wine that is dry in style with fresh aromatics. The wine was fermented in 100% older oak, enhancing the rich, creamy texture from an idyllic growing season.

Alcohol: 14%
PH:  3.35
T.A. 6.1
Residual Sugar: 3.81

Awards and reviews
5 out of 5 stars – Michael Cooper (Oct 2023)
“The impressive 2023 vintage (5*) was grown at Bendigo (60 per cent) and Bannockburn (40 per cent), and fermented in old oak barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it has an attractively scented bouquet. Mouthfilling, it is vibrant, with concentrated, ripe, stonefruit flavours, showing real complexity, a slightly oily texture, and a very harmonious, lingering, dry (3.8 grams/litre of residual sugar) finish. Well worth cellaring to 2025+”

5 stars, 94 points – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit (Oct 2023)
“Pristine and elegantly expressed, the wine shows apricot, fig, Nashi pear and subtle spice aromas. The palate is equally satisfying with excellent weight and persistency, wonderfully complemented by fine texture and juicy acidity. Charming and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2028”.

18.5/20 points – Joelle Thomson (Nov 2023)
“Pinot Gris from cool climates rocks when it’s good, as this flavoursome, smooth wine from Wild Earth shows. Flavours of ginger, stewed pears and a hint of lychee add layers to the smooth mouthfeel and lingering, flavoursome finish. It’s a crowd pleaser with body and ageability on its side. Great wine to drink with spicy food or on its own as a refreshing beverage after a long day”.

93 points, excellent – Cameron Douglas MS (Oct 2023)
“An excellent bouquet and palate of Gris with aromas and flavours of fresh Asian pears and white nectarine, there’s a cool-climate citrus quality then spice. Youthful, fresh, balanced and well made with medium weight and plenty of intensity. Acidity adds freshness highlighting the fresh fruit and youthful qualities. Well made, just dry on the finish with best drinking from 2024 through end of Summer 2027”.

5 stars, 93 points, 18.5/20 – Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews (Oct 2023)
“Bright, even, pale straw yellow. The bouquet is lush and generous with ripe pear, quince, ginger and white blossom aromas. Medium-full bodied, dry to taste, aromas of ripe pear and quince melded with ginger and lily. The fruit is succulent with good depth and length; fresh acidity flows smoothly to a moreish finish. This Pinot Gris is lush with concentrated fruit, spice and fresh acid balance. Match with siu mai and calamari over the next 3 years. Fruit from 60% Bendigo and 40% Bannockburn, fermented in older oak to 14% alc, 3.81 g/l RS”