Echelon Vineyards

Let me quibble before I praise. I wish vintners in this country would find some consistency in how they name their Pinot Gris/Grigio. I once ran a blind tasting of American wines called Pinot Gris and wines called Pinot Grigio – it’s the same grape genetically, okay? – and none of the professional tasters at the table could pick out one from another. That’s not the tasters’ fault, it’s because the wineries don’t label their wine to identify it as either a smooth, Alsatian style (Gris) or a more grippy, snappy Italian style (Grigio).

So by now you’ve guessed that this Grigio should be called Gris in my book. Quibble’s over, just get the wine. It gives you clean, bright, concentrated aromas of tropical fruit, orange zest, hazelnuts and more, and then in your mouth the voluptuous entry leads to a great body with very smooth texture. The wine’s plenty ripe and touched by oak, but in good balance with a refreshing finish. And the price beats most Gris – er, Grigio – hands down.

Reviewed May 29, 2007 by Thom Elkjer.