Del Rio Pinot Gris Rogue Valley 2015
If you drew a line between Napa Valley in California and Willamette Valley in Oregon, Rogue Valley is just about the halfway point. It’s a place of rolling hills, warm sunshine, and several river systems: that is to say, Southern Oregon is a far cry from the Willamette Valley up north.
Del Rio’s vineyards were a century-old pear farm until 1997 when the first vines were planted. Like many new wine regions, their really isn’t yet an established set of grapes grown. I love this time in a wine region’s history: the push and pull of hundred of ideas competing all at once.
One of those ideas is Pinot Gris. The style here is a bit of a curiosity. A touch of residual sugar, a touch of skin contact, and a touch of oxidization. It works well and is a tasty bottle, but that’s not the only reason I am recommending this bottle.
These are flavors of a winery that is in the throws of experimentation. And that is something worth exploring.
On the nose, this Pinot Gris is fresh pear and lanolin, with a wilted fennel component. A lively acidity is balanced with a richness that takes on an overripe pear character. A zot of ocean air keeps the finish interesting as the flavors move toward fresh mango and almonds.
The post Del Rio 2015 Pinot Gris, Rogue Valley appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.
source https://www.vinology.com/del-rio-2015-pinot-gris/
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