In The Glass: King Estate Backbone Pinot Gris 2011

In light of this incredibly gorgeous, blue skied, 80 degree April day we had in the Willamette Valley today, I decided to pop the cork on a bottle of wine I received in one of my wine club releases from King Estate: 2011 Backbone Pinot Gris. Alluring pear, peach and lime zest comes to life on the palate with peppy minerality and lovely, soft acidity that balances out the fruit flavors to perfection. With a lush and silky mouthfeel, this full bodied Pinot Gris is like none other, and it’s down right delicious and absolutely perfect on a day like today.

I’ve had this ambrosial Pinot Gris before. It was during the Oregon Wine Harvest Media Tour last August, where a group of wine writers and I were lucky enough to attend a Pinot Gris focused tasting and dinner at King Estate Winery, featuring Pinot Gris’ from King Estate, Van Duzer Vineyards and Lange Estate Winery. Beginning the tasting at the highest point of the vineyards (the largest contiguous organic vineyard in the world) with a glass of the crisp refreshing King Estate 2008 Domaine Blanc De Gris (a sparkling made from estate grown organic Pinot Gris), we were able to enjoy breathtaking views of the vineyards and valley below. After an exceptional vertical tasting of 2008, 2009 and 2010 King Estate Pinot Gris’, a tour of the winery gave us an up-close view of freshly harvested Pinot Gris clusters being deposited into pressing machines; as well as, a visit to their impressive barrel room, bottling line area and the original, very small (in comparison to the current) tasting room.

Right before an ambrosial dinner prepared by King Estate’s executive chef, we tried a plethora of wines from both Lange Estate Winery and Van Duzer Vineyards. From a solid 1995 Reserve Pinot Gris from Lange to a crisp, clean and refreshing 2010 Van Duzer Pinot Gris, we were indeed, very lucky to take part in such a super special tasting.

As I sit in my outdoor office on the patio and enjoy this lovely Backbone Pinot Gris while soaking in every ounce of sunshine, I found some pictures from the Pinot Gris tasting at King Estate that I thought I should share. Enjoy. Cheers. Carpe Diem.