Looking at the label, my first thought was is it 2012 already?  Hang on, it’s nearly 2013 …

A fittingly empty glass.

This wine, a 2012 pinot gris from the Musk Creek vineyard was made by Kathleen Quealy, the winemaker who helped pioneer pinot gris in the Mornington Peninsula when she established T’Gallant in 1990 with winemaker husband Kevin McCarthy.  T’Gallant was subsequently sold to the artist now known as Treasury Wine Estates in 2003, and Quealy was established in 2006.  But returning to the wine, it is a good one.  Aromatics of citrus and chalk.  The palate is fresh and has medium length, with some lemon and pear tension, together with a touch of youthful spritz.  This is not a heavy, blowsy, or oily style of pinot gris, but rather a linear and fresh expression.  I don’t really buy into the local “gris” v “grigio” debate, preferring to drink good wine of any style.  You won’t go far wrong with this one.  Good

Abv: 13.7%
Price: $24
Vendors: Check http://www.wine-searcher.com/
Website: http://www.quealy.com.au
Tasted: 2012