2017 Locati Cellars Pinot Grigio, Reed Vineyard, Columbia Valley
Tasting Notes
Opening with Fuji apple, citrus, and passionfruit aromas, this elegant wine delights the tongue with pineapple and pear flavors through a lingering finish. Pair with cheeses, poultry, or white fish.
This wine is a mix of wine styles: certainly a warm climate, Washington Pinot Grigio, but bursting with racy acidity like Northern Italian versions. The vineyard itself is farmed by well-known potato farmers, which means they take care of their vineyards well. The resulting grapes and the juice inside are nearly perfect for completely non-interventionist winemaking. There is no need to add or subtract any nutrients, acids, or other winemaking techniques. Just add yeast and let it ride.
Growing Season
After a cold winter, with a bunch of snow, bud break arrived in May, leading into a warm spring. Our normal Sangiovese suffered freeze damage from the winter, so we received some fruit from the Wahluke Slope. The summer was hot and dry with growing degree days for the year at near-record levels. The harvest was early and hot, but normal in tonnage. By mid-September, temperatures were back to normal, and harvest was able to reach into mid-October. Acidity remained in the grapes, as sugars reached picking time.
Vineyard
Reed Vineyards is located north of Pasco in the Columbia Valley and is owned by potato farmers. They also have over a hundred acres of wine grapes planted, most of which go to some of the largest brands in Washington State! Because of their farming background, these viticulturists know how to grow some amazing grapes. On a slightly southwestern-facing slope, this Pinot Grigio is grown in sandy loam soil with great drainage and plenty of vine nutrients.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Pinot Grigio
Appellation: 100% Reed Vineyards, Columbia Valley AVA
Barrel Composition: 100% Stainless steel
Alcohol: 11.5%
pH: 3.56
TA: 6.3 g/L
Cases Produced: 275
Release Date: Fall 2023
Drink now through 2025
What’s Included
6-bottles:
6x 2017 Locati Cellars Pinot Grigio, Reed Vineyard, Columbia Valley Case:
12x 2017 Locati Cellars Pinot Grigio, Reed Vineyard, Columbia Valley
From Italy’s rugged and fertile vineyards to yet another spectacular wine-growing region: the Washington/Oregon border and the Walla Walla Valley appellation. The Locati family invites you to discover the blend that combines just a hint of the Old Country with the richness that only the Walla Walla Valley can bring.
Locati traditions have nurtured this region’s soil for over a century. Vineyards thrive on rolling hills up into the Blue Mountains as well as on the valley floor below taking in all the nurturing elements that the four seasons bring to this fine country.
Like the grapes, you also have the opportunity to soak in it all. Whether it be the aromatic blossoms of spring or the relaxing, soothing heat of the sun in summer, nothing can finish it better than a Locati Cellars wine in your glass. Salute!
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2017 Locati Cellars Pinot Grigio - $30 = 21.42%
@locaticellars Hi, always great to have participation like this. first, about the 2017 date, I know for the retail market that would usually be considered « old » for a white wine, but especially for complex whites and blends I feel the bit of aging can be very good. How is this holding up?
Also curious about why this is marketed as a P Grigio instead of a Pinot Gris which is more commonplace in the region?
the simple answer to the Grigio vs Gris naming is that the owner is Italian and wanted to broadcast the Italian background. Sooo, he called it Grigio instead of Gris (which is what I would have called it).
As to aging, not all wines are built to age, but certainly whites can be aged! In this case, the wine is screwcap finished with “tin” liners meaning that the seal is the least amount of oxygen ingress possible. When you crack one of these babies, it will still be pretty much clear of color with only a couple years’ worth of accumulated age. I recently opened a 10 year old bottle similar to this, and it had barely changed.
As always, a note from Alice got me excited about a surprise coming to my door, this time in the form of the 2017 Locati Pinot Grigio, along with a casemates wine glass! I’m intrigued by this grape with a little age on it, and decided to try it with a pasta dish with fresh tomato, capers, and aged goat cheese.
I served the wine at 49 degrees F to start. In the glass, this is a lovely light straw color. I get a nose of honeyauckle and lemon, and an initial taste of honey and nectarines before settling into a lovely acidity midpalate.
The finish on this is really fun, it feels like it’s disappearing but comes back with a tingling richness.
Once I tasted the pasta sauce with the wine, it really came alive. The tang and creaminess of the goat cheese and brine of the capers balanced very well, and really elevated my experience. At this point it had come up to a temp of around 55-60, and I think that’s a great temp for this.
All in all, this is a solid choice, especially at the price point offered. I’m in for some for sure!
I’m with you on the temperatures. A lot of people assume colder is better such as with Sauvignon Blanc, but then you lose the fruit and nose and get more acid. 55-60 on a packed Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, or Viognier is pretty solid.
Good morning! I had the good fortune to receive a bottle of the Locati Cellars 2017 Pinot Grigio to Lab Rat. Straight out of the refrigerator, this wine had a nice pale straw color with no obvious signs of age. The nose was a bit restrained with notes of lemon, white peach, and gravel. First taste followed the nose well with a bit more lemon/lime and mildly tart acidity. This is bone dry with a light body. The Pinot Grigio nicely lingered across full pallet after each sip. Quite refreshing, if not asking for food with the higher acidity.
On the first night we had this with a lightly Cajun seasoned and breaded tilapia, garlic and basil pearled couscous, acorn squash, and vine fresh cherry tomatoes. Surprisingly the wine overpowered all but the Cajun tilapia, in which it more deftly balanced the spice.
The second night was more about keeping the kids happy, so we tried something new with calzone doughnuts. This was mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, and pepperoni inside pizza dough shaped into doughnut backing sheet rounds. These were then topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. The richness did a better job against the acidity of the wine, though it was not a particularly good pairing. I think this meal highlighted that pairing it with some richer foods that play better with the citric nature of the wine would be best. Post dinner, I noted the acidity had backed off a touch from night one and the mouthfeel was a bit rounder.
Overall I think this is a nice, refreshing wine that can certainly stand up to food, though I would be a bit more selective on which foods to pair it with. As far as the age, I would feel comfortable for a couple more years, but would start drinking today.
Cheers!
Appreciate the vintner and rattage on this Pino Grigio- looking forward to trying it, as we’ve find it pairs well with many of our regular menus at home. Thanks!!
2017 Locati Cellars Pinot Grigio, Reed Vineyard, Columbia Valley
Tasting Notes
Growing Season
Vineyard
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $240/case MSRP
About The Winery
Available States
AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Friday, Sep 8 - Monday, Sep 11
2017 Locati Cellars Pinot Grigio
6 bottles for $69.99 $11.67/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $109.99 $9.17/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations).
2017 Locati Cellars Pinot Grigio - $30 = 21.42%
Hello people of the Internet! Winemaker of Locati here, simply saying that I will try to stay on top of your comments!!
@locaticellars Hi, always great to have participation like this. first, about the 2017 date, I know for the retail market that would usually be considered « old » for a white wine, but especially for complex whites and blends I feel the bit of aging can be very good. How is this holding up?
Also curious about why this is marketed as a P Grigio instead of a Pinot Gris which is more commonplace in the region?
@locaticellars @pmarin Great question - I was curious about the grigio vs gris, too.
@erisire @pmarin
the simple answer to the Grigio vs Gris naming is that the owner is Italian and wanted to broadcast the Italian background. Sooo, he called it Grigio instead of Gris (which is what I would have called it).
As to aging, not all wines are built to age, but certainly whites can be aged! In this case, the wine is screwcap finished with “tin” liners meaning that the seal is the least amount of oxygen ingress possible. When you crack one of these babies, it will still be pretty much clear of color with only a couple years’ worth of accumulated age. I recently opened a 10 year old bottle similar to this, and it had barely changed.
As always, a note from Alice got me excited about a surprise coming to my door, this time in the form of the 2017 Locati Pinot Grigio, along with a casemates wine glass! I’m intrigued by this grape with a little age on it, and decided to try it with a pasta dish with fresh tomato, capers, and aged goat cheese.
I served the wine at 49 degrees F to start. In the glass, this is a lovely light straw color. I get a nose of honeyauckle and lemon, and an initial taste of honey and nectarines before settling into a lovely acidity midpalate.
The finish on this is really fun, it feels like it’s disappearing but comes back with a tingling richness.
Once I tasted the pasta sauce with the wine, it really came alive. The tang and creaminess of the goat cheese and brine of the capers balanced very well, and really elevated my experience. At this point it had come up to a temp of around 55-60, and I think that’s a great temp for this.
All in all, this is a solid choice, especially at the price point offered. I’m in for some for sure!
@erisire
I’m with you on the temperatures. A lot of people assume colder is better such as with Sauvignon Blanc, but then you lose the fruit and nose and get more acid. 55-60 on a packed Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, or Viognier is pretty solid.
@erisire
I’m wary of the elusive “Honeyauckle” flower. But it looks promising in for 6 and hopefully the wife likes it.
I know this wine! The Locati family are legends in Walla Walla and their winemaker is very talented! Great to see this wine here.
@tastebud thanks for commenting!
Good morning! I had the good fortune to receive a bottle of the Locati Cellars 2017 Pinot Grigio to Lab Rat. Straight out of the refrigerator, this wine had a nice pale straw color with no obvious signs of age. The nose was a bit restrained with notes of lemon, white peach, and gravel. First taste followed the nose well with a bit more lemon/lime and mildly tart acidity. This is bone dry with a light body. The Pinot Grigio nicely lingered across full pallet after each sip. Quite refreshing, if not asking for food with the higher acidity.
On the first night we had this with a lightly Cajun seasoned and breaded tilapia, garlic and basil pearled couscous, acorn squash, and vine fresh cherry tomatoes. Surprisingly the wine overpowered all but the Cajun tilapia, in which it more deftly balanced the spice.
The second night was more about keeping the kids happy, so we tried something new with calzone doughnuts. This was mozzarella, ricotta, garlic, and pepperoni inside pizza dough shaped into doughnut backing sheet rounds. These were then topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese. The richness did a better job against the acidity of the wine, though it was not a particularly good pairing. I think this meal highlighted that pairing it with some richer foods that play better with the citric nature of the wine would be best. Post dinner, I noted the acidity had backed off a touch from night one and the mouthfeel was a bit rounder.
Overall I think this is a nice, refreshing wine that can certainly stand up to food, though I would be a bit more selective on which foods to pair it with. As far as the age, I would feel comfortable for a couple more years, but would start drinking today.
Cheers!
@mtnzj thanks!
Appreciate the vintner and rattage on this Pino Grigio- looking forward to trying it, as we’ve find it pairs well with many of our regular menus at home. Thanks!!
/giphy grievous-ponderous-deer
@benguin986 doing what I can!
@locaticellars
Great to have had your participation.
It does make a difference here…