2018 Anderson Valley Pinot Gris - Handley Cellars

Lime peel, sea spray, tart green apple. Squeezed lemon, citrus blossom, sour kumquat. Crashing waves of grapefruit zest, passionfruit, and crunchy green pear wash in with thirst-quenching and lip-smacking tartness in a wonderfully bright and youthful attack. Notes of ocean air, sandy earth, and saline minerality immediately bolster crisp and clean refreshment while jasmine and baby's-breath expose a subtle whiff of delicate florals. An interesting twist of fresh ginger and sourgrass reveals a light dusting of root spice and a pinch of something green that is briefly exposed before tides turn towards a finish carried by salty minerals and steel. Exceedingly fresh and pretty on the palate; exhibiting excellent typicity and expression of terroir within its interesting and energetic display. Dry and medium bodied with nicely elevated acidity. This 2018 Anderson Valley Pinot Gris by Handley Cellars is a well made and delicious white from Mendocino County. 

Located just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean in rural Mendocino County, the Anderson Valley is a maritime-influenced cool climate growing region that has become known as one of California's premier zones for Alsatian-style white wine. This bottling, crafted by Handley Cellars using Pinot Gris sourced from the Anderson Valley, showcases just how marvelously this often-misunderstood grape can thrive in coastal northern California. Made in a style that marries the crispest Pinot Grigio of Alto Adige with the more full throttle expressions Pinot Gris of Alsace, this wine zips with tart and driving citrus-led fruit complicated by subtle florals, spice, and a blast of fresh minerality. While young and primary this wine manages nice complexity to compliment its refreshment and has necessary structure to pair with a wide range of food. Very well done.