Pinot Noir
75cl * Sustainable * 14.0% ABV * Waitaki Valley, North Otago, New Zealand
Valli is the creation of pioneering Otago winemaker Grant Taylor. Having crafted wines in Otago since 1993, Grant founded Valli in 1998 to create single-vineyard wines highlighting the different characteristics of Otago’s sub-regions: Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Bendigo in Central Otago and the Waitaki Valley in North Otago. Grant was joined by female winemaker Jen Parr in 2015 who shared his vision for giving wine a sense of place. Slightly cooler than Central Otago, Grant Taylor and Jen Parr continuously defy the difficult growing conditions of this area to produce truly special wines.
Drinking window: 2024 - 2030
"Moderately deep ruby-red with a garnet reflection, slightly lighter on the rim. The nose is enticing and complex, enveloping fresh and dried floral from afar. In the glass, hibiscus, rose and herbs interweaved with Bing cherry, plum, strawberry, shiitake, sous bois and spice. Medium-bodied, expressive and concentrated palate layered Bing cherry, plum and strawberry, unveiling hibiscus, rose petal, wild thyme, sous bois, shiitake, cedar and black pepper. Velvety tannin lightly coated with palate with texture, penetrating undergrowth, liquorice and savoury elements. Seamless, lacy acidity carries spice to linearity. This Pinot Noir is immensely pleasurable, with a complex, concentrated core, fine tannin structure and seamless integration, showing excellent cellaring potential. Match with game and truffle over the next 12+ years. Fruit from Grant's Road, 100% destemmed fruit, fermented to 14% alc, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 29% new. 592 dozen produced." 20/20 points, Raymond Chan Wine Reviews
"Transparent garnet. Intense and pure and spicy. Light tannins. Good grip and really intense but delicate. Drink: 2024-2032." 17+ points, Jancis Robinson MW (March 2023)
"The 2021 Waitaki Vineyard Pinot Noir is grown on the limestone soils of Waitaki, and the wine is super fresh and detailed as a result. There's crushed shells, balsamic poached strawberry, pink peppercorns, a hint of bay leaf and saltbush and layers of cherry skin. This is all understated flow, fresh blood and elegance. What a superb wine." 95 Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate (February 2024)
"Light, smooth-textured with strawberry, cherry, raspberry, vanilla and spicy oak flavours. The pale colour is deceptive as the wine has considerable power clearly demonstrated in its surprisingly lengthy finish. Drink: 2022-2033." 95 points, Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (November 2022)
"The 2021 Pinot Noir Waitaki Vineyard is a savory, spicy and evidently oaked Pinot Noir. While there's usually some whole clusters in this cuvee, the vineyard was frosted a couple of days before the harvest. It feels ripe and welcoming with 14% alcohol and a soft, rich texture. The berries were tiny in 2021 and the tannins reflect that in their firmness, exuding a gravelly texture." Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous