A wine from Bendigo in Central Otago, that is often recognised as one of NZ’s best examples of the varietal – I got to taste a sample of this a few weeks ago, – would have loved to have had this as part of our Top 10 Tasting last week. Fragrance is one of the key elements to a great Pinot Gris (alongside texture) in my opinion, and there is a complex set of flavours on show here. Citrus and spice come first, but there’s a richer baked pear, peach and brioche note underneath, and a lift of honeysuckle florals. A chalky minerality come into the medium-bodied palate that has enough concentration but doesn’t overwhelm the spaces in between that allow movement and complexity to bloom as you head towards the spicy, pithy finish. 93pts