By Duane Pemberton
Winery website: http://www.alexanawinery.com
Alexana winery, located just outside of Dundee Oregon – in the heard of the Willamette Valley has the same owner as Ravena winery in Napa. It’s clear that they have a big budget to produce best-of-class varietals as seen in this 2011 Pinot Gris.
Technical Data:
- Vintage: 2011
- Varietal: Pinot Gris
- Appellation: Dundee Hills
- Vineyard Designation: 80% Revana/20% Bella Vida
- Alcohol: 13.1%
- Price: $26
Nose: Green apple, grapefruit, lemon zest, river rock, pear and white peach fuzz.
Taste: What we have here is a total “citrus bomb” – lemon, lime and grapefruit explode into a back drop of tropical fruit. I get kiwi, papaya and mango to name a few – the acids are spot on, the fruit is rock-solid, the mid palate is nearly sublime and this is easily one of the best Pinot Gris from the new world I’ve ever had. The only problem? Yeah, it’s $26 and for that price, Pinot Gris lovers will most likely gravitate towards the old-world.
