On the 16th of May we looked into two cultivars that are remarkably similar in terms smell and flavour profile, if made dry. I am of course talking about Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer. There were four Pinot Gris and two Gewurztraminer’s. A full set of notes were given to the tasters (available upon request). Thanks to Bosman, Eagle Cliff and Babich for the notes. All wines were tasted together and were the same temperature. The wines tasted and their scores are below.
1. Eagles Cliff Pinot Grigio 2022
Colour- light green, with a slight golden rim. Nose- soft peach, citrus, pineapple and spice. Palate- crisp acidity, but soft, spice, pineapple, lemon, apples, nice minerality, with a pineapple finish.
Score- 16.14.
2. Terra de Capo Pinot Grigio 2022
Colour- light green, with a slight pink tinge. Nose- floral, spice, apples, slightly oily or terpene. Palate- soft, lovely minerality, lemon, apples, pears, and spice on the finish.
Score- 15.86.
3. Bosman Family Wines Generation 8 Pinot Grigio 2021
Colour- light gold, with a pinkish tinge. Nose- spice, lemon and apples. Palate- soft acids, apple, lemon, lots of spice, kept changing, real interesting wine!
Score- 16.29.
4. Babich Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 (wooded, from New Zealand)
Colour-green, with a golden tinge. Nose- yellow peach, musky, honeyed, spice, Turkish delight. Palate- flinty, great minerality, honeyed, spice, apples, mango, pineapples on the finish, well liked.
Score- 17.43 (tied 15th best wine for Vats with the Simonsig Labyrinth Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, so far in 2023 out of 130 wines tasted).
5. Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2022
Colour- light green, with golden rim. Nose- jasmine, violets, blossoms, Turkish delight, rose petal, Muscat. Palate- crisp acidity, rich on palate, with musky spice, Turkish delight and honey, lingering spice.
Score- 17.14.
6. Delheim Gewurztraminer 2020
Colour- slight green heart, gradating to golden rim. Nose-spice, honey, lots of apples. Palate- crisp acidity, lots of apples, masses of spices, grapefruit and citrus finish, also well liked.
Score- 17.33 (tied 18th with the Stellenrust MCC Sparkling Brut (Clement de Lure) NV).
Everyone was amazed how much the Pinot Gris changed for the better during the tasting. The Gewurztraminers stood out as stronger in spice, yes a little more sugar than the Pinot Gris. Most of the Pinot Gris had lemon. The Babich was simply super, wood makes a huge difference! So tops Babich, then Delheim and Neethlingshof! Somehow there was an oily component or terpene like character to the Terra del Capo, which is why it scored so low. Interesting tasting, thanks to the farm’s for the notes! Thanks also to those who attended!
Comentarios