Pale gold color; pear, apple, lemon, peach, mango, white flowers on the nose; pear, cantaloupe, lemon-lime, nectarine, green apple on the palate.
Dry; brisk acidity; no tannins; no oak; ripe fruit gives hint of sweetness. Medium body. Grapes 100% pinot gris, 51% from King Estate vineyards, the remainder from various vineyards in Willamette Valley. Fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel, aged sur lie in stainless steel for four months. 13.5% ABV
Founded in 1991, King Estate is certified organic and biodynamic. The estate vineyard is 1,033 acres in the southern end of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The family-owned estate is certified by Demeter USA as the largest biodynamic vineyard in the United States and has been certified organic since 2002.
Ed King and his father, also named Ed, founded the winery. Ed practiced law in Alaska, then worked for his father’s company, King Radio—an aircraft electronics firm in Kansas City, Missouri—prior to pursuing his winemaking dream. The younger King owned two small vineyards as part of his timberland and farmland properties in Oregon. When buying hay for his horses, he discovered a 600-acre cattle ranch near Lorane, Oregon he thought would be ideal for viticulture. The purchase would evolve into today’s King Estate operation.
King Estate’s key people today include owner Ed King; COO and winemaker Brent Stone; director of viticulture Raymond Nuclo; and vineyard manager Meliton Martinez.
King Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley 2021 is vibrant, tasty, graceful, classic pinot gris. Bright acidity carries through extended finish. Nice balance of stone fruit flavors; crisp, refreshing. Works nicely as an aperitif or sipped by itself well chilled by pool, dock, patio, porch, picnic. Pair with spicy foods; pork; barbecue chicken, chicken fajitas; cured meats, charcuterie board; mushrooms; lighter fish; shrimp; shellfish; salads; vegetarian fare. Cheese—very versatile; morbier, raclette, taleggio, munster, livarot, mozzarella, feta, cheddar. $15-20
