This spring, there were more than a dozen expressions of Pinot Gris — styles, vineyard-designate, block-specific — commercially available at King Estate. And the flagship wine for the King family, heck, arguably for the Oregon wine industry, was rated among the best in this comparative tasting. While the estate accounts for 51% of the bottling by Brent Stone’s team, close to a dozen other sites factored into this. Yet, it’s filled with classic notes of Pinot Gris grown in Oregon, broadcasting hints of Asian pear, starfruit and melon while joined by secondary notes of seashells and fresh-cut celery. There’s essentially no perceptible sweetness (0.4% residual sugar) as it’s capped by a dusting of baking spice, pear skin and lime juice. Considering the abundance of fresh seafood available, it’s no wonder Florida is a major market for King Estate.
Rating: Outstanding! Gold medal — 92 points
Production: 110,000 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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