'Grey Matter' Ramato Pinot Grigio 2023

from A$32.99

Back in the 2018 vintage I bought my first pinot grigio grapes with the intention of making a style traditional to the Friuli region. Coming from the word rame meaning copper, Ramato is pinot grigio that receives some skin contact, resulting in anything from a blush to a light red. I made a white wine instead, but in 2021 the fruit was ideal for it, as not only was it in fantastic condition but the clone of pinot grigio at Box Grove Vineyard has particularly dark skin.

For the third year in a row fruit was harvested on the first day of vintage in February and received about eight hours on skins before it was pressed to stainless steel tank. After cold settling the fermentation started in earnest, mostly in tank but two mature barriques were used as well. Once dry the wine was consolidated, cold stabilised and then racked several times before bottling without filtration.

Though I attempt to limit how much I do in the winery there is a lot of thought that goes into them. Decisions like which varieties to choose for which styles, what region and vineyard to source from, when to harvest and how to capture their best, all take time and consideration. Thus, I liked calling this wine Grey Matter, as not only did such an uncomplicated wine take brain activity, but the colour of the wine reminds of brains.

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Back in the 2018 vintage I bought my first pinot grigio grapes with the intention of making a style traditional to the Friuli region. Coming from the word rame meaning copper, Ramato is pinot grigio that receives some skin contact, resulting in anything from a blush to a light red. I made a white wine instead, but in 2021 the fruit was ideal for it, as not only was it in fantastic condition but the clone of pinot grigio at Box Grove Vineyard has particularly dark skin.

For the third year in a row fruit was harvested on the first day of vintage in February and received about eight hours on skins before it was pressed to stainless steel tank. After cold settling the fermentation started in earnest, mostly in tank but two mature barriques were used as well. Once dry the wine was consolidated, cold stabilised and then racked several times before bottling without filtration.

Though I attempt to limit how much I do in the winery there is a lot of thought that goes into them. Decisions like which varieties to choose for which styles, what region and vineyard to source from, when to harvest and how to capture their best, all take time and consideration. Thus, I liked calling this wine Grey Matter, as not only did such an uncomplicated wine take brain activity, but the colour of the wine reminds of brains.

Stuart Knox - The Real Review
”Pale straw with just a hint of copper blush and an aromatic lift of golden pears & honeysuckle. A fuller style with ripe nashi tones that glide in an almost oily texture. Great length with enough acidity and a hint of phenolics to balance and cleanse the finish. An attractive wine that will suit food well.” 92 points

Lisa Cardelli - Wine Pilot
”Did you know that Pinot Grigio has a pink coloured skin? So, it goes by itself that if you leave it in contact with its skins for some time, it will have more of a red colour than white. I’ve seen that extreme, and all the other shades in between. This example of Ramato (translated from Italian to copper, in reference to its copper colour) has seen eight hours on skins. It smells of wild strawberries, Jazz apples, unripe cherries, mandarin zest. It has a decent phenolic grip on the palate, with fleshy, pulpy, and slightly salty red apple and cherry characters in the middle. A succulent acidity and lovely length frame this pristine Ramato.” 92 points

Jeni Port - Halliday Wine Companion
”Sourced from Box Grove Vineyard at Avenel. This is one full-flavoured grigio. Not shy in the least in either colour – salmon pink – or flavour. Acacia, nashi pear, ginger and apple scents. Tangy to taste and lively in flavour, it brings fruit concentration and savouriness to the glass, which is to be applauded. A touch above in the grigio stakes.” 91 points

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