Wild Horse Pinot Gris Central Coast 2014: Pale yellow color; peach, citrus, apple, pineapple nose;
rich in the mouth with fresh fruit matching the nose; off-dry with cutting acidity, very friendly in the mouth and with food. 83% pinot gris, 7% chardonnay, 6% malvasia bianca, 2% verdelho, 2% orange muscat makes for flavor parade; most of the juice was fermented in stainless steel, 20% in neutral French oak to add texture and appealing mouth feel. That velvety mouth feel is standout element of this well-made blend and not something you naturally expect from a pinot gris. Wild Horse Winery is located in Templeton, California, south of Paso Robles, which makes it part of the Central Coast surge to quality, affordable wines. It gets its name from wild mustangs that roamed hills east of the winery and also reflects the winery’s commitment to free spirited winemaking. The vineyard and winery were located to take advantage of low-vigor soils, proven ground water, proximity to Estero Bay and its rural atmosphere. They source grapes from from 16 diverse appellations and more than 40 Central Coast vineyards—thus the panoply of grapes in this blend. To add to the good vibes, Wild Horse is committed to sustainable viticultural, a trend the wine industry as a whole can take pride in. Even the wine factories, many of them, recognize they do not own the land, they hold it in trust for future generations. As my tasting notes often cite, many wine makers trace roots back hundreds of years and multiple generations. Would that more industries shared their respect and reverence for our planet. Wild Horse’s motto is “Live Naturally, Enjoy Wildly.” This wine nicely reflects that attitude. Wild Horse is best known for its Central Coast pinot noir; pinot gris is thought to be a mutant of pinot noir, so this effort is in keeping with their pinot focus. Pinot gris is famous pairing with salmon and red snapper, its slight oiliness complementing that fish flesh; this also will work well with salads and as an aperitif. Go wild. Enjoy. $15 