Greystone, Sand Dollar Pinot Gris 2010

The fastest growing wine region in New Zealand is the Waipara Valley – situated only about 40 mins north of Christchurch and boasting about 1,200 hectares of vineyards. The climate and geography are ideally suited to fruiting vines, and there is no more obvious beneficiary than the Greystone Sand Dollar Pinot Gris.

Where some Pinot Gris’ are acidic, green and astringent on the finish, the Greystone is gracious, fruit-filled and concludes cleanly but with ripe fruit and great balance. I love the way that the stewed pears and spices silhouette on the nose, become emboldened on the palate and slink away to the shadows once more as the wine hits the back of the throat.

The fruit is so thick that you can almost chew it! This has to be the best thing to come from New Zealand since Split Enz!