2023 Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Gris

VITICULTURE

Harvest Date: 23^rd of March to 11^th of April, 2023.

Climate: Similar to the previous season, the 2023 growing season started with soil moisture at capacity following a wet winter. Flowering conditions in November and December were not even across Marlborough with some sub-regions achieving a good set and crop load and others below average set. Vigilance around disease pressure was paramount, with regular rain events through the season and unusual humidity and warm nights through much of December and January. Day time temperatures were not warm, delaying the vine’s physiological advancement. Marlborough breathed a sigh of relief as cyclone Gabrielle minimally impacted the region in February, while wreaking havoc through much of the North Island. The season turned a corner for Marlborough in early March with a return to cool nights and sunnier conditions allowing us to delay harvest for as long as possible, resulting in fruit that reached good sugar levels with attractive flavours, while disease levels remained low and manageable. Peak time for intake was the two weeks starting from the 27^th March and fruit condition remained very good through until the end of harvest.

Grape Growing: The fruit used to make this wine mostly came from our Tussocks and Pauls Road vineyards. Throughout the growing season the vines were thoughtfully managed, with open canopies and prudent crop thinning helping to create fully ripe, clean fruit come harvest time.

VINIFICATION

Winemaking: Hand-picked fruit from our Tussocks and Pauls Road vineyards was used to make this wine. The fruit was whole-bunch pressed and the juice was left to settle overnight. This cloudy juice was then gently warmed and inoculated using carefully selected yeast strains. Upon completion of fermentation, the tanks were topped (without sulphur) and let to sit on lees for 4-5 months. The wine was then stabilized and cross-flow filtered, before bottling on the 12^th October, 2023.

ACCOLADES

• Sakura Japan Women's Wine Awards 2024, Double Gold.
• Sam Kim, 94/100 Points (5 Stars) - "It's beautifully scented on the nose, showing ripe apricot, Asian pear, lemon peel and white floral aromas, leading to a succulent palate delivering excellent weight and supple texture. Splendidly composed and expressed, making it immediately appealing."
• Michael Cooper, 4 stars - "The youthful, light lemon/green 2023 vintage (4*) was grown in the Wairau and Awatere valleys. Full-bodied, it is vigorous, with very good depth and delicacy of peach, pear, lychee and spice flavours, dry (2.6 grams/litre of residual sugar) and lingering."
• Candice Chow (Raymond Chan Wine Reviews), 91/100 Points (4 stars) - "Bright, even, pale yellow. The nose is gentle and soft with aromas of orchard fruit, white florals and a suggestion of honey. Medium-bodied, aromas of apple and pear intermixed with honey, white blossom and a touch of ginger. The wine shows good weight, supported by fresh acidity along a silky flow. Match with dim sum and fish tacos over the next 3 years."
• Shiny pale straw in colour, pale lemon hues, medium bodied, slight oily viscosity. In the nose, aromas of pears & peaches, a hint of citrus / florals, slight nutty & spice notes too. On the palate, flavours of ripe pears & stone-fruit, a crisp almost green-apple acidity & pear skin textures all finishing in unison. Long, spicy bone dry, finish. Delicious! John Bartlett, NZ Wine Directory.
• 2024 James Suckling, 91/100 Points, 4 stars.