Ransom Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Gris 2012
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Robert
Parker
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Originating in Cattrall and Temperance Hill vineyards, the Ransom 2012 Pinot Gris fermented unusually slowly due to an especially cold winter, and didn't finish until May, though when it did, there was but negligible residual sugar remaining (whereas on other occasions, Ransom Pinot Gris have harbored up to a half-dozen grams), and - also unusually - had completed malo-lactic transformation. Ample and subtly creamy, this still offers more than enough refreshing primary juiciness and an abundance of ripe peach as if close to the core: subtly piquant and salty in a manner that really stimulates the salivary glands.
Nestled in the Willamette Valley just outside of Portland, Oregon, Ransom Winery & Distillery has been blending traditional old-world craftsmanship with a modern new-world twist since its inception in 1997. Now a part of the Great Oregon Wine Co. & Distillery, Ransom will continue to marry the old and new with every bottle of wine and spirit - persistently disrupting and revolutionizing the craft beverage industry so that you can tap into your own inner rebel.
Sustainability and stewardship for the land and the planet are important, which is why this farm has been certified organic since 2011. The core values of historic authenticity, craftsmanship, and respect for terroir are evident in the craft.
Showing a unique rosy, purplish hue upon full ripeness, this “white” variety is actually born out of a mutation of Pinot Noir. The grape boasts two versions of its name, as well as two generally distinct styles. In Italy, Pinot Grigio achieves most success in the mountainous regions of Trentino and Alto Adige as well as in the neighboring Friuli—all in Italy’s northeast. France's Alsace and Oregon's Willamette Valley produce some of the world's most well-regarded Pinot Gris wine. California produces both styles with success.
Where Does Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio Come From?
Pinot Gris is originally from France, and it is technically not a variety but a clone of Pinot Noir. In Italy it’s called Pinot Grigio (Italian for gray), and it is widely planted in northern and NE Italy. Pinot Gris is also grown around the globe, most notably in Oregon, California, and New Zealand. No matter where it’s made or what it’s called, Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio produces many exciting styles.
Tasting Notes for Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is a dry, white wine naturally low in acidity. Pinot Grigio wines showcase signature flavors and aromas of stone fruit, citrus, honeysuckle, pear and almond. Alsatian styles are refreshing, expressive, aromatic (think rose and honey), smooth, full-bodied and richly textured and sometimes relatively higher in alcohol compared to their Italian counterpart. As Pinot Grigio in Italy, the style is often light and charming. The focus here is usually to produce a crisp, refreshing, lighter style of wine. While there are regional differences of Pinot Grigio, the typical profile includes lemon, lime and subtle minerality.
Pinot Grigio Food Pairings
The viscosity of a typical Alsatian Pinot Gris allows it to fit in harmoniously with the region's rich foods like pork, charcuterie and foie gras. Pinot Grigio, on the other hand, with its citrusy freshness, works well as an aperitif wine or with seafood and subtle chicken dishes.
Sommelier Secrets
Given the pinkish color of its berries and aromatic potential if cared for to fully ripen, the Pinot Grigio variety is actually one that is commonly used to make "orange wines." An orange wine is a white wine made in the red wine method, i.e. with fermentation on its skins. This process leads to a wine with more ephemeral aromas, complexity on the palate and a pleasant, light orange hue.
Running north to south, adjacent to the Willamette River, the Eola-Amity Hills AVA has shallow and well-drained soils created from ancient lava flows (called Jory), marine sediments, rocks and alluvial deposits. These soils force vine roots to dig deep, producing small grapes with great concentration.
Like in the McMinnville sub-AVA, cold Pacific air streams in via the Van Duzer Corridor and assists the maintenance of higher acidity in its grapes. This great concentration, combined with marked acidity, give the Eola-Amity Hills wines—namely Pinot noir—their distinct character. While the region covers 40,000 acres, no more than 1,400 acres are covered in vine.