June 21, 2013 - Slight acidity, smooth, well balanced. Pear, apple, tart. Strong wine. Would hold up nicely with many meals but goes well without food. Off dry.
February 27, 2013 - Lost track of this bottle. Pear, lime, earth, and maybe a little hay on the pleasant nose. Earth, citrus, and a little spice on the light palate. Fruit has faded in this bottle, leaving sort of a nondescript white. Good acidity, decent finish. Better just to sit and smell it...
September 16, 2011 - Really enjoyed this. Paired with some crackers and gouda and it paired well. About 15 min in the glass before drinking. Pears, apple, and flowers for me.
June 5, 2011 - Perfectly nice but nothiing exciting.
April 9, 2011 - No flaw. A simple wine that is refreshing.
March 23, 2011 - Pale golden straw color. Spicy nose with apple, stone fruit, and orange. Rich palate of near-ripe pear, clove, and minerals. Moderate acidity. Medium-plus length spicy finish. I like the concentration in this wine, but it comes across a bit heavy on the palate for what I've come to expect in Oregon PG and, like Ben, I'd prefer a bit more crispness. I wouldn't pair this with lighter fare. Still, a well-made wine that will benefit from the right food pairing and will drink well for 4-5 more years. Better on Day 2 - a bit more integrated and round on the palate rather than heavy. Will likely cross into 90+ territory in a couple of years.
March 22, 2011 - Drank this way too early. A little spritz after opening. Strong nose of pears and citrus and maybe some flowers. Pear, apple, and citrus on the palate. Great mouth-feel and body for Oregon pinot gris. Good acidity. This is a richer style, but I like it. 89+
January 25, 2011 - Mark V. notes:
"This is really interesting to taste this after the Riesling, because when I go to Alsace they talk about the textural dimension of the way and its a whole different way it move on the palate. And how to use it.
"So when the food gets big and rich then you use this. So duck confit, and other heavy dishes you pull out the Gris because it pulls out a whole other dimension on your mouth.
"Bottled at 1.2 grams, on the lees for 8 months."
December 7, 2010 - Strong aromatics. Apples and pears. Although there is bracing acidity, this wine has a creamy richness. Blind I might have guessed viognier based on the texture. And there are some floral elements. The wine improved over the night so I think 12 months or so is in order. In general I like the SI whites but the Vitae Pinot Gris is probably my least favorite and at this price there is a lot of competition. This would be nice for the holidays in 2011.
October 9, 2010 - Cristom, St. Innocent, Johan Vineyards (Eola-Amity/Willamette Valley, OR): I really hated on the 2007 rendition of this wine, but this is awesome. One of the better Oregon Pinot Gris I've had. Very fresh on the nose; tart acid, green apples, lemon, and just beautiful and delicious smelling. It's soft on the palate, some nice acid, green apples, and good balance. The finish has impressive acid carrying into the finish that really makes me enjoy this wine.