TWO RIVERS PHOENIX PINOT GRIS 2023

Gold Medal – Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition 2023

We just love what winemaker Dave Clouston does with his wines, and his take on Pinot Gris adds something a bit special to the variety. It is dry, textural and flavoursome – qualities sometimes hard to find in this variety. The winery tasting notes are spot on…

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"The phoenix is an immortal bird associated with Greek mythology. Much like the phoenix, after a three year hiatus, Two Rivers Pinot Gris has arisen from the ashes and is born again.

Light and golden in colour. Fresh aromas of pear, toasted pine nuts, and lifted Turkish delight awaken your senses. Textured, structural, dry, fresh stone fruit roasted almond flavours mingle with fresh thyme and wild fennel. This multi-layered Pinot Gris is opulent yet clean, bright and juicy. The wine’s poised, beautiful texture leads to a well-balanced, persistent finish.

Lightly pressed, the juice was fermented cool, predominately in stainless steel to maximise fruit purity and distinctive varietal character. The wine was then aged on light yeast lees for four months to gain complexity and increase mouthfeel."

5 Stars & 95/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, October 2023 (2023 Vintage)
"A stylish rendition with fabulous fruit purity; the inviting bouquet shows poached pear, subtle spice, citrus peel and white floral nuances, followed by a finely textured palate offering refinement and poise. Elegantly framed by juicy acidity, finishing persistent and satisfying. At its best: now to 2030."

4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2023 Vintage)
"Offering top value, the 2023 vintage was grown in the Awatere Valley (60 per cent) and Wairau Valley (40 per cent), mostly tank-fermented, and aged for four months on its yeast lees. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling and fleshy, with fresh, generous stonefruit flavours, showing a touch of complexity, a sliver of sweetness (6 grams/litre of residual sugar), and a finely textured, very harmonious finish. Open and expressive, it's already drinking well."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, October 2023 (2023 Vintage)
"Bright, ripe, varietal, fresh and fruity bouquet with aromas of bosc pear and apple flesh, fresh quinces and citrus highlights. There’s a whisper of white spice and lees. Just dry as the wine touches the palate with a youthful energy and power from the acid line and core fruit impact. Flavours of tree fruits and citrus, pears and apples, white pepper spice and a textured mouthfeel showcasing all the flavours described. Well made, dry on the finish, plenty of acidity and quite plush. Best drinking from 2024 through 2026. Excellent value."