A tale of 2 Vineyards

No great preamble on this post…I’ve written plenty about Stockman’s Ridge in the past.  Rider is the “entry” level and these wines are perfect for the summer lunch and sharing round the table. Was interesting to compare the 11 and the 12 from differing vineyards and get consensus around the table by 2 “crisp dry white” lovers on their preference. Unsure of the age or site of the Bathurst vineyard, but I’d say that it gets far more sun/heat (vintage notwithstanding).

2011 Pinot Gris, Orange

The one from Orange is a little more orange.

Quite a striking colour, almost a light honey with a bright golden hue.  Savoury nose: Nuts, straw and hay. Good archetypical pear skin. Smoky and spicy. There’s candied ginger and almost “coffee crystal” sweetness with a lingering Peach Ice Tea flavour. Medium acidity, medium bodied. My pick of the 2 wines.

Alcohol: 13%

RRP: $22

2012 Pinot Gris, Bathurst

Bathurst..more than just a car race

Much lighter colour in the glass. Heady aromas of hay bales, cut pear, snow pea sprouts/vegetal and just a touch of wax. Far broader on the palate; viscous and supple. Sweeter than the 11. Ginger tea, pears and that slight snow pea greenness. Almost “lemonade” lemon/citrus and that waxy element too. The girls liked this one…

Alcohol: 14.2%

RRP: $22

Both wines samples courtesy of Stockman’s Ridge