I have no catchy introduction for this Left Coast Cellars The Orchards Pinot Gris 2017 other than to say this is a legitimate expression of the Pinot Gris grape. I’ve had those that are, for lack of a better word, watery, those that are too fruity, others that are just bland. But here you have the subtlety of aromas, the delicacy of flavors, and that suggestion of texture that makes a white wine sing. Cheers Left Coast — Pinot Gris isn’t just palatable, it’s enjoyable.
About the Wine: The Left Coast Cellars The Orchards Pinot Gris 2017 is made from 91% Pinot Gris grapes and 9% Pinot Blanc grapes harvested from Left Coast Cellars estate vineyard entitled The Orchard — originally planted to apple, pear, and cherry orchards.
13.7% ABV
Flavor Profile: Open the bottle of the Left Coast Cellars The Orchards Pinot Gris 2017 and breathe in fresh scents of apples, pears, citrus zest and blossoms. This Pinot Gris is nearly clear on the pour, settling into the glass with just a tinge of beige — and loads of aromatics.
Initial aromas are of sea-salt air, pineapple, white peach and nectarine, and a clear line of acidity. Swirl and find a beachy-floral scent — like damp sand lined with white-petaled flowers — and there’s an almost coconut-like background. The palate of the Left Coast Cellars The Orchards Pinot Gris 2017 is light, crisp, refreshing and that certain, confident acidity you sensed on the nose absolutely carries the weight, mouthfeel, and flavor of this wine.
Dominant flavors are of lemonade, pink grapefruit, banana, under-ripe white peach and nectarine, a bit of green leaf vegetation, a hint of salinity, and a light background reminiscent of praline.
Food Pairing: I paired the Left Coast Cellars The Orchards Pinot Gris 2017 over the course of two nights. The first night I enjoyed the Pinot Gris with a very simple quesadilla (otherwise known as a “Stacydilla”) filled with broccoli and cheese, and a side salad of tomatoes and spinach tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette. Loved this pairing, as the slight spice to my Mexi-inspired dish brought out the fruits in the wine and actually rounded out the texture a bit. The cruciferous broccoli brought out that latent green-herb-vegetation lingering in the background of the wine, while the good dose of acidity cut through the fats and oils of the cheese. Loved this pairing.
The second night I paired the Left Coast Cellars The Orchards Pinot Gris 2017 with an apple and pear salad tossed with blue cheese, cranberries, almonds, and a apple cider vinaigrette. Loved this pairing as well, as the saltiness of the dish (mostly found in the cheese) rounded out the mouthfeel of the wine. The sweet apples amplified the fruit components, while the subtleness of the pear gave the wine a bit of texture. And the funkiness of the cheese added a missing floral component not sensed when sipping the Pinot Gris on its own.
More Info: I received the Left Coast The Orchards Pinot Gris 2017 as a sample for review. (Cheers Will!) Retail: $18. For more information about Left Coast Cellars, their wine, and to purchase wine directly, please visit the Left Coast Cellars website.
BriscoeBites officially accepts samples as well as conducts on-site and online interviews. Want to have your wine, winery or tasting room featured? Please visit the Sample Policy page where you can contact me directly. Cheers!
