De Bortoli Bella Riva Pinot Grigio Vermentino 2012 (King Valley, Vic)
12.5%, Screwcap, $18
Source: Sample
www.debortoli.com.au

My, my this is a clever wine. Actually, De Bortoli’s King Valley wines all seem to carry a little more intrigue, with odd wines and interesting combinations that defy their relatively low price points. Likey.

This fits the mould perfectly – a hand-picked, field-blend of Pinot Grigio and Vermentino. How often do you hear about such detail in an $18 wine?

It’s varietal and interesting too, with a forward nose of hay and stones, the Grigio giving pear juice and soda water sparseness, coupling with the more richer stonefruit of Vermentino. The palate looks a little simple, yet is lightly textured. Cleverly textured really, finishing fresh and vital.

There is so much to like about the form of a wine like this, needing only a bit more concentration to make it genuinely exciting. Promising+.

Drink: 2013-2014
Score: 16.8/20 89/100
Would I drink it? Maybe not buy but would recommend