2011 Vintage

Greystone Sand Dollar Pinot Gris 2011

Light gold in colour the Sand Dollar Pinot Gris has a refined yet complex nose which opens up in the glass - showing peach, nashi pear, nougat with mild citrus and tropical tree-fruits.  The rich and fine-grained palate is full of stonefruit with a hint of underlying smokiness.  A multi-layered and dry wine with a long and refreshing palate.

Viticulturist's Notes

The 2011 season gave us full crop loads which ripened steadily to a mid April harvest.  Shoot and bunch removal provided us with concentrated fruit.
 
Our Pinot Gris comes from gentle slopes, NW facing on wind-blown loess (silt) over clay.  Limestone deposits through vineyard.  Density 2500 vines/Ha on two-cane VSP trellising.

Winemaker's Notes

The fruit for this dry style Pinot Gris was picked when rich varietal flavours were beginning to shine through in the vineyard, but before the natural sugar levels got too high.  The juice was settled clear before fermentation with neutral yeast to allow varietal purity.  The new wine was deemed balanced at 3.5g/L RS, when it was chilled to commence a short period of stirring and ageing on lees.  The wine was bottled unfined.