Alexandria Nicole A Squared Pinot Gris is a 750ml Columbia Valley white wine blending three varietals from Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills. The 2018 vintage earned a Gold Medal and 91 points from SavorNW, reflecting the intensity and balance this estate-grown bottling consistently delivers.

Quick Facts: Origin: Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington | Blend: 78% Pinot Gris, 12% Chardonnay, 10% Albario | Winery: Alexandria Nicole Cellars | Residual Sugar: 0.02%

Production & Heritage

Alexandria Nicole Cellars produces A Squared entirely from fruit grown at the Destiny Ridge Vineyard in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills. The vineyard is planted at a remarkably high density of 2,000 vines per acre more than double the typical 900 vines per acre seen across most New World wine regions which stresses the vines and concentrates flavor in each cluster. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel to preserve the aromatic purity and bright acidity of the blend, and it finishes at a near-bone-dry 0.02% residual sugar, giving it a clean, linear palate despite its fuller body.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe peach and honeysuckle before moving into crisp Asian pear, lemon zest, and stone fruit. Underneath, subtle layers of orange blossom, fresh ginger, and a whisper of banana crme add aromatic complexity.

Taste: The entry is generous with golden apple and lychee, giving way to a mid-palate of pineapple, Bartlett pear, and hazelnut. Beautifully balanced acidity drives through the fuller body, carrying notes of Meyer lemon, orange zest, and melon rind with a mineral backbone that keeps everything structured and lively.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with lingering citrus zest and a clean mineral thread. A faint echo of marshmallow sweetness rounds out the final impression without any cloying residual sugar.

How to Drink A Squared Pinot Gris

A Squared drinks well chilled to around 4550F, served neat in a standard white wine glass that allows its complex aromatics to develop fully. Its near-dry profile and textural weight also make it versatile in food-friendly pairings and lighter cocktail-style wine drinks.

• White Wine Spritzer: The citrus zest and mineral backbone hold up beautifully against sparkling water and a twist of lemon.
• Sangria Blanca: The peach and pineapple notes mesh naturally with fresh stone fruit and citrus in a chilled white sangria.
• Kir: A splash of crme de cassis plays off the wine’s honeysuckle and pear aromatics for a classic French aperitif.

Best For

• Introducing someone to Washington State white wines beyond Riesling and Chardonnay
• Pairing with a seafood dinner where you want more body than a typical Pinot Grigio
• Summer porch sipping when you want aromatic complexity without residual sweetness
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates estate-grown, small-production Pacific Northwest wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does A Squared Pinot Gris taste like? It delivers ripe peach, Asian pear, and golden apple on a fuller-bodied frame, balanced by bright Meyer lemon acidity, a mineral backbone, and an almost completely dry finish at just 0.02% residual sugar.

How does A Squared Pinot Gris compare to Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris? Both are Columbia Valley Pinot Gris wines, but A Squared uses a three-varietal blend (adding Chardonnay and Albario) and is estate-grown from high-density Horse Heaven Hills vines, giving it noticeably more aromatic complexity and textural weight. Chateau Ste. Michelle’s version tends toward a lighter, more straightforward Pinot Gris profile at a lower price point.

Is A Squared Pinot Gris good for sipping neat? Yes its layered aromatics, full body, and crisp mineral finish make it an engaging stand-alone sipper, especially when served chilled to around 4550F.

Where is A Squared Pinot Gris made? It is produced by Alexandria Nicole Cellars from estate-grown fruit at the Destiny Ridge Vineyard in Washington State’s Horse Heaven Hills, a sub-appellation of the larger Columbia Valley AVA.

What foods pair well with A Squared Pinot Gris? Pan-seared halibut complements the wine’s mineral finish; Thai green curry mirrors its lychee and ginger notes; roasted chicken with herbs matches its fuller body; fresh goat cheese echoes its bright citrus acidity; and grilled shrimp with lemon butter highlights the peach and pear fruit.

What sizes does A Squared Pinot Gris come in? A Squared Pinot Gris is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is A Squared Pinot Gris worth the price? A Squared positions as a mid-range estate-grown Washington white, and its three-varietal blend, high-density vineyard sourcing, and SavorNW Gold Medal recognition place it firmly above entry-level Columbia Valley Pinot Gris in both quality and complexity.

Why A Squared Pinot Gris?

What separates A Squared from most domestic Pinot Gris is its unconventional blend 78% Pinot Gris bolstered by 12% Chardonnay for mid-palate weight and 10% Albario for aromatic lift and acidity. The fruit comes from Destiny Ridge Vineyard, where vine density at 2,000 per acre forces lower yields and greater concentration than the Washington average. A Gold Medal and 91 points from SavorNW confirm that the approach translates in the glass. For anyone who finds standard Pinot Grigio too simple but wants something more refreshing than oaked Chardonnay, this wine occupies a distinctive middle ground that few competitors in the Columbia Valley match.