Gray Monk Estate Winery Pinot Auxerrois 2020 Wine Review

Craig Haynes - WSET3 FWS SWS IWS rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Due to FOMO I aim to be varietal curious in my wine choices. So when I had an opportunity to open a Pinot Auxerrois, I took it. Canada has limited number of Pinot Auxerrois vines and France is home to the highest number of vines, particularly in the Alsace region. In Canada some are planted by Gray Monk Estates in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley appellation. Their 2020 expression of Pinot Auxerrois is delicious.

In my glass, its pronounced aromas are fresh, nuanced and evoke floral blooms plus citrus and stone fruit slices and a faint beat of stoney minerality. When served chilled, this creation feels light with all kinds of right – light bodied, light acidity, light oily texture.

Off dry, its lovely flavours taste like citrus (such as tangerine and lime) and pears mingled with delicate touches of minerality and whipped honey. What I like most about this 2020 expression is its aromatic profile, so don’t jet past it on your way to the flavours. Take time to take it in.

From a food pairing perspective, I’d serve this with shellfish but I’d most likely serve it by itself in order to savour its scents and flavours uninterrupted by other ones.

Reviewed December 2021

Lynn van der Linde - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

If you haven’t tried Pinot Auxerrois, this is a must try, and an added bonus that Gray Monk Winery in BC, Canada grows this quintessentially northern France varietal.
Sparkling white gold in the glass, with heady aromas of green apple, lime, clementine and ocean spray (yes, think wet sand and salty sea breeze!).
Light to medium bodied, with a crispy green apple finish.
Some residual sugar makes this perfect for spicier dishes such as Thai cuisine or Chicken Tikka Masala.
Tasted Dec 2021.

Colin McKone - Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Very pale straw in colour with aromas of lime, peach, red apple and sea salt. It is off-dry, light bodied with medium acidity. On the palate you get flavours of white peach, lime, apple and minerality. This will pair great with fresh green salads, seafood and poultry. Tasted on December 29, 2021.

Christian Marcoux rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

The 2020 Pinot Auxerrois is a savory wine produced by Gray Monk Winery, located in the Okanagan Valley. Its grape is imported from the Alsace region of France and skillfully grown at the Gray Monk Winery. The wine shows aromas of white peach, pineapple, lime peel, saline and chalk. Its light body, crisp acidity and zippy finish pairs well with great with blue cheese and salad. Palate: green apple, pear, meyer lemon, saline and crushed gravel. Enjoy!

Jennifer Havers - WSET Level 3 rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

So pretty and fresh! Aromas of white peach, lime zest, pineapple and pear, with a strong note of saline minerality. Light bodied, crisp and fresh on the palate with mouthwatering acidity, and lovely tropical fruit notes with a zesty lemon note. Enjoy with any fresh seafood.

Melanie Lloyd - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

On the nose, this wine is pretty subtle, it does not have a "here I am, in your face" type of profile. It does have subdued and delicate notes of red apple, cantaloupe, hints of banana, clementine and saline minerality.

It's off-dry on the palate and light, with medium acidity and red apple, lemon, clementine, and mineral notes coming through.

Pair with pan fried fish, baguette with caramelized onion, brie, and pear, or with thai food.

Tasted November 2021

L.J. Palmer WSET 3 rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Pleasing aromas of peach, pear, pineapple, mango, apple and a mineral note; rich fruit aromas. Wine is off dry, medium bodied, with medium acidity. palate features mineral, apple, and citrus flavours. It would be very nice on its own or paired with caramelized onion, pear and brie pizza.

If you liked the Gray Monk Estate Winery Pinot Auxerrois 2020, you might also like these wines:

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