Taylors Estate Pinot Gris 2008

Taylors Estate Pinot Gris 2008
Screwcap, $18 (less on special)

I've got alot of time for the Taylors operation. Clare Valley family winemakers that consistently produce very good value wines, particularly from Shiraz, Cabernet & Riesling. The 2005 St Andrews Riesling in particular was a recent highlight that barely moved after a week of being opened in the fridge - Respect. The Jaraman wines haven't always pushed my buttons, but as blends with Mclaren Vale & Coonawarra fruit in there they just don't count - Clare is where the Taylors heart is.

Anyway this is the first time Taylors has done a Pinot Gris and its a blend of Adelaide Hills & Clare Valley fruit - not a bad mix for intense aromatic whites when you think about it. The colour has the faintest tinge of blush to it, almost like there was a smidgen of red left in the glass. On the nose its quite big and musky with some yellow pear, spice & cloves with a fair whack of intensity for a first release.

The palate is similarly quite intense with a big broad band of musky green pear fruit, edged with lemon. Its quite ripe, but nicely restrained & the bit of residual sugar that finishes off the palate only makes it more attractive. Acid starts early and its just a little raw, but its again admirable for a Pinot Gris.

All in all its no delicate Pinot Gris butterfly, nor some Alsace mouthfiller, but gosh its varietal and very nicely built for the dollars. I could imagine drinking plenty of this with some soft shelled crab (though that would be if the place had run out of Riesling).

Taylors I dip my hat to you once again. 17