Valli Bendigo Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020
$78.99
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. The higher elevation of this site in Bendigo means slightly cooler temperatures, which is important in these warmer sub regions, and good airflow, helping to prevent rots and mould. The wines from this very warm part of Otago have been described as “big friendly beasts”. They are dark, rich, lush wines capturing the rock-reflected heat and ripeness of this special site. The grapes for the Valli Bendigo Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020 were handpicked before being fermented with 40% whole bunch fruit in French oak (29% new oak) for 11 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep garnet hue with an array of intriguing aromas including black cherry, cassis, liquorice, mocha, cedar, forest floor and flint. Wow – there is a lot going on! The palate is equally complex with layers of dark fruit, spice and umami that are woven together by a fresh vein of acidity. The texture is rich and mouth-filling with silky, fine tannins that build in the mouth giving a long, memorable finish. Powerful yet refined, this is quintessential Bendigo Pinot with a tangy freshness that comes from grapes grown at elevation. There is a mysterious element to this vintage that is quite captivating in its youth with promise to evolve and show more character if cellared for up to 15 years. Complex and pure, more than just varietal a bouquet – layers of texture scents with sense of place and time then fruit aromas of crushed cherry flesh and preserved roses, raspberry and a soft savoury thyme quality. Seamless on the palate with a youthful core structure from fine needle point tannins and acid line, plush velvet mouthfeel with contrasting plum, cherry and even a touch of blueberry fruit. Oak flavours and tannins are layered throughout the wine teasing the senses, salivating and adding just a touch of sweetness then light smoky baking spices. Fantastic wine with best drinking from 2023 through 2030+ – Cameron Douglas MW, 98 Points The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Pinot Noir Country – New Zealand Region – Central Otago Vintage – 2020 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 14.0%
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