Reviews & Ratings

2012 Balletto Pinot Grigio & Pinot Gris (Other than Italy) "Estate Bottled"

Winery: Balletto

Vintage: 2012

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Estate Bottled"

Wine Category: Pinot Grigio & Pinot Gris (Other than Italy)

Grape blend: 100% Pinot Gris

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Russian River Valley

State or country: CA

Price: $18

Cases produced: 4,861

KWG Score: 86.3 (based on 3 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good (88)

Review date: October 29, 2014

Wine Review: This pale straw colored Pinot Gris opens with wet stone and mild melon like bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly sweet and ripe and displays a full mouthfeel. The flavor profile is a tasty Bosc pear with notes of mild minerality and hints of lime. The finish is semi-dry and fades away nicely. This wine would pair well with chicken lo-mein. Enjoy – Ken

Winemaker Notes: It's rare to find the complex aromas and nuanced textures that this cool climate Pinot Gris shows. It’s both fruity and savory; tart yet velvety. And the finish. Long and intense. The wine begins with a magnificent burst of perfumes. The first of which are lush and heady dried flowers and ripe apples. These are followed by the wines bright elements of pear and lemon. A refreshing dose of lime and that always-elusive minerality rounds out the bouquet and continues into the crisp, cleansing mouthfeel. While showing tartness in the mouth, the wine still maintains a rich texture and structural viscosity. A honeyed finish lingers for several minutes and is more reminiscent of a finely made red wine than a crisp summertime white. Food wise, this wine is as versatile as they come. It has the minerality and tartness to compliment the rich, salty flavors of aged cheese, the structure to pair with heavier fish like salmon and fatty tuna.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Balletto 2012 Pinot Gris.