Stefani Occaso Pinot Gris 2024

Region: Yarra Valley Grapes: Pinot Gris First Glance: Ripe, Dry, Pear, Spice The Wine: Pinot Gris taken from the View vineyard up near the winery. Planted 1997 on its own roots on the west side of the hill. The idea behind this wine is to make full use of the textural characteristics of the Pinot Gris grape – high acid, high alcohol and crunchy phenolics in the skin. The fruit was crushed by feet and left for three days to macerate before pressing at max pressure for 8-hours. Fermented in large format barrels with full solids and left on gross lees for 18 months without topping. Racked cleanly to stainless steel before bottling in October 2025. "A light bronze/copper in the glass, aromas of steely pears, coriander seed, fennel and jasmine leap up. There's a slight hazelnut note from the 1 year it spent on ullage, just enough to add interest but it all falls in to balance with the rest of the wine. It's Intensely ripe (14% alcohol) but not flabby, instead it races across the palace with chalky phenolics and surprisingly fresh and steely acid. Paradoxical and great for it." - James, Best Cellars Team