The 2009 Ward Farm Pinot Gris comes from a relatively cool site close to the sea. Hand-picked and whole cluster pressed, it also gets a stainless start and then indigenous yeast finish the ferment in barrel. Peach and Golden Delicious apple scented, it has a fragrant undercurrent of honeysuckle and a funky whiff. Dry, medium bodied, crisp, it has a subtly flavored, well balanced and silken textured palate, finishing long. Drink it now to 2013. Former chief winemaker at Seresin, Brian Bicknell set up his own Mahi label in 2001 with an aim to use his considerable knowledge and experience of the lay of the Marlborough lands to focus on crafting wines of single vineyard expressions. In 2006 he purchased the Cellier Le Brun winery to use as his base and gave it an impressively understated makeover. The five vineyards that Brian oversees are all certified organic. Total production is a small yet respectable 14,000 cases per annum of premium wines that are truly punching above their price weights in terms of individual character and intrinsic quality.Importer: Maverick Wine Co, Bensenville, IL; tel. (630) 860-4600