Mitchell Pinot Gris 2021

This is the first release of a Pinot Gris from Mitchell and what a fine way to start. Selecting the 2021 vintage as the inaugural release is clever. The grapes, from a north-east facing vineyard in the Penwortham Hills of the Clare Valley, are whole bunch pressed and then aged in a 3,000 litre foudre.

Green yellow in colour, there is good intensity of flavour right through. While there are notable touches of pears as you would expect from Pinot Gris, for me, this is more crisp green apples. The oak is unobtrusive but binds the wine nicely. Floral notes intrude, in the nicest way, throughout. Underneath is a solid foundation of minerality. A wine of decent length which will drink beautifully over the next two to three years, perhaps longer.