Orange rind, almond skin, white nectarine. Meyer lemon, ginger tea, golden kiwi. Rosemary and bitter herbs, dry stone and crushed chalk. Stone fruit and citrus peel begin the attack showcasing pink grapefruit and fresh apricot, but are quickly overtaken by turmeric, edamame, and umami-laden exotic spice. Wild mushroom and moss contribute further to the deliciously earthy mid-palate before subsiding behind limestone and granitic minerality. Subtle tannin and twang of phenolic bitterness course throughout this multidimensional copper-hued beauty, and its medium plus acidity is more than ample to support its medium bodied frame. Serious, savory, and significantly layered; expressing a distinct sense of place and absolutely wonderful typicity. This 2017 Terraces Pinot Gris by Eden Rift Vineyards is an extremely complex and contemplative single-block white from San Benito County.

The Eden Rift Vineyard is tucked carefully into to the Galiban Mountains just east of Monterey California. Near the western-edge of this vineyards sits one of its most unique blocks that is planted on terraces carved an extremely steep and unforgiving hillside. This bottling, crafted by Eden Rift Vineyards using Pinot Gris sourced from this special terraced block, is an extremely impressive interpretation of a grape not often taken seriously in California. It is tense, structured, and expressive, exhibiting not only pretty and complex fruit but also bountiful herbal and earthy tones. This is undoubtedly one of the most well executed varietal examples of Pinot Gris made in California and rivals some of the greatest offerings found across the globe. Outstanding.