Description
VALLI is the personal vocation of pioneering winemaker Grant Taylor. Grant’s name is synonymous with Otago Pinot Noir. He has been crafting wines there since 1993 when there were only 20 ha planted – today there are over 2000. Grant founded VALLI in 1998 with the intention to produce single vineyard Pinot Noirs highlighting the different characteristics of Otago’s sub regions. More than 20 years later, VALLI is doing just that, producing single-vineyard pinot noirs from Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Bendigo in Central Otago and the Waitaki Valley in North Otago, as well as a dry Pinot Gris from Gibbston and a Riesling from Waitaki. In 2015, established Otago winemaker Jen Parr joined Grant in the winery where the two aim to create wines with honesty, integrity, and most of all, a sense of place. When you drink a Valli wine, you are enjoying more than just a wine: you are experiencing a place.
From Winemaker, Jen Parr, NZ Winemaker of the Year 2020 … “Glimmering garnet hue with captivating aromas of fresh herbs (wormwood, rosemary and wild thyme) that “leap” out of the glass and are complemented by fig, cherry and dried rose petals. The palate commences savoury with delicious dried herb, dukkah and mushroom flowing into bright red fruit, with a long and spicy finish. The wine has a silky texture with fine tannins and exquisite detail. This vintage has delivered a “classic” Gibbston Pinot Noir that is understated, graceful and complex with so much intrigue creating an aura of suspense.”
Trophy – for “Best NZ Red Wine” at the International Wine Challenge in London 2021 .. “What a delight to taste a Gibbston Pinot in full flow. These are the most delicate Pinots in Central Otago and this beauty has an almost waxy smoothness and a bright springtime white flower scent to go with redcurrant and strawberry fruit streaked with apple acid and dusted with salted almond.” -IWC, London
95 points, Cam Douglas, MS “Youthful, fruity, varietal and quite a powerful bouquet with aromas of schist and rugged hillsides, wild thyme and a core of red berry fruits from cherry and sour raspberry to yellow plum and red currant. Spices and vanilla scents of oak finish the bouquet andstart the palate. Flavours of cherries and berries mirror the nose. Firm tannins and plenty of acidity build in texture and power withchalk and fine soil mouthfeel. A wine for the cellar with best drinking from 2023 through 2029+.”
95 points, Nick Stock for James Suckling ” Such attractive, fragrant complexity here with bright strawberries, red cherries and spice, as well as a leafy edge and wild herbs. Some Pepper, too. The palate has striking elegance with piercing acidity and flavours of yellow clingstone peach, nectarine and red plum. Smooth-hones, long and plush tannins. Drink or hold”
95 points, Rebecca Gibb MW “This is a wine that makes you say “ahh” akin to taking your shoes off after being on your feet all day. Its fragrant and delicate with very fine tannins. It feels almost fragile, but don’t be concerned; thee is plenty of concentration here, and gorgeous purity of silken fruit plumps out the midpalate. Around a fifth of the wine underwent whole bunch, and maturation took place in 30% new oak, but thee no overt oaky character despite its youth. Inviting on release, the flavours of raspberry, wormwood and thyme linger on the medium-length finish. If I were being super picky, I’d love those hauning scents to linger a little longer. Otherwise, this wine has nailed it.”
RRP $87 Our Price $76.99
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