Jules Taylor Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand

Radiant pale straw with lifted aromatics of pear, rose petal, and baked quince, 2024 Jules Taylor Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand immediately signals depth beyond expectation. Shaped by a strong El Niño season that delivered warm, dry conditions and one of the shortest ripening windows on record, the fruit achieved remarkable flavor concentration while retaining bright acidity from cool, clear nights. This vintage continues Jules Taylor’s reputation for crafting Pinot Gris that challenges assumptions, offering texture, complexity, and precision in equal measure.

Product Details:

• Owner & Winemaker: Jules Taylor
• Varietal: 100% Pinot Gris
• Vintage: 2024
• Vineyard Sources: Meadowbank Taylor Pass, Waihopai Valley, Rapaura
• Harvest Date: 8 to 12 March 2024
• Alcohol: 13.83%
• Residual Sugar: 3.7 g/L
• pH: 3.33
• TA: 5.94 g/L
• Clones: 2/15, 457, 52B
• Farming Certification: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand
• Production Notes: Partial wild fermentation in old barrels with full malolactic on barrel portion, lees stirring

Sensory Description:

The 2024 growing season in Marlborough was dramatically shaped by a dominant El Niño pattern, bringing strong westerly winds, warm dry days, and very low disease pressure. Flowering was lighter than in 2022, leading to smaller yields and more concentrated berries, and the compressed ripening window produced one of the shortest harvest periods on record. Compared to the more generous and slightly broader 2022 vintage, the 2024 Pinot Gris shows greater intensity, tighter structure, and heightened aromatic definition. Ripe pear, baked quince, and stone fruit unfold alongside rose petal and ginger spice, but the fruit feels more focused and energetically framed. The retained fermentation solids and wild-fermented barrel portion, which underwent full malolactic fermentation and lees stirring, contribute a creamy midpalate that balances the vintage’s natural tension. With 3.7 g/L residual sugar and vibrant acidity preserved by cool nighttime temperatures, the wine finishes dry, fresh, and mineral. For customers, this translates into a more precise and layered drinking experience, less overtly plush than 2022, but more defined, textural, and age-worthy within its five-year window.

Producer’s Background:

Jules Taylor is one of Marlborough’s most respected independent winemakers, having built her reputation through decades of vineyard and cellar leadership before founding her own label. Known internationally for Sauvignon Blanc, she has consistently demonstrated equal mastery with aromatic and textural white varieties. Her philosophy emphasizes site expression, careful fermentation management, and thoughtful use of wild yeast and lees work to build depth without sacrificing vibrancy. The 2024 Pinot Gris stands as a testament to her ability to harness challenging seasonal conditions and transform them into wines of clarity, balance, and compelling complexity.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve chilled at 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in a medium white wine glass to highlight aromatics and creamy texture. Exceptional alongside Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, pork belly spring rolls, or traditional pho. Also pairs beautifully with roast chicken, ginger-glazed seafood, or soft washed-rind cheeses where its spice and acidity provide balance and lift.