Cardwell Hill Cellars Pinot Gris 2014
I don’t often have the chance to drink American wine. While I’ve bought probably every California Zinfandel in Istanbul’s duty free shop (there are like three) that’s about the extent of what I get here in Turkey. So when I’m in the US I like to try as many as possible; like this Cardwell Hill Cellars Pinot Gris.
Cardwell Hill Cellars
Cardwell Hill Cellars in Oregon’s Willamette Valley was founded in 2000 by Dan and Nancy Chapel. They believe that good wine comes from good fruit and make every effort in their vineyards to ensure they get good fruit. To that end they practice a number of organic and biodynamic farming practices including dry farming and composting grape waste back into the soil. As a result the winery holds sustainable agriculture certificates from by both Salmon Safe and LIVE (low input viticulture and oenology). Like many in Oregon their flagship grape is Pinot Noir but they also cultivate another grape in the Pinot ‘family,’ Pinot Gris.
The Pinot Gris is dry and extremely food-friendly. Which is fantastic because I was drinking this with food. Every time I make it back to Michigan I set aside one night to hang out with one of my favorite cousins. Amanda is an extraordinary foodie and chef so aside from the pleasure of getting to hang out with her for a night I also get to eat whatever incredibly delicious food she prepares especially for me. One of the reasons she’s one of my favorite cousins is that she’s also a wine enthusiast and had a great selection of wines to drink with dinner, including this one!
Cardwell Hill Cellars Pinot Gris 2014 Tasting Notes:
Very pretty in the glass with a bright, medium lemon color. The nose was citrussy with green apple and buttered popcorn of all things. The buttered popcorn was really unexpected as this winery does not put its Pinot Gris through MLF (malolactic fermentation). Clean and zesty on the palate with lots of citrus upfront, mid palate crispy green apple, and a very savory finish.
This was definitely an interesting take on Pinot Gris. I hope to try more wines from Oregon in general and from Cardwell Hill Cellars! I’ll definitely be looking the next time I get back to the US.