Valli Vineyards Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir is an exemplary representation of the quintessential Central Otago wine. The grapes are sourced from the Gibbston Valley sub-region, which is known for its unique terroir, featuring high elevation and stony soil. This Pinot Noir boasts an intense aroma of dark cherry, baking spice, and forest floor. On the palate, it's full-bodied with firm tannins, concentrated flavors of ripe blackberry and dark chocolate, and a long finish. The wine is aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, which adds complexity and texture. With its excellent balance and structure, this Pinot Noir is a perfect choice to enjoy with rich dishes or to cellar for a few more years.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet hue with a fascinating array of aromas from mineral and floral to earthy/animal and baking spice/wild thyme. The fruit shines through on the palate with bright cherry, blackberry and mulberry complimented by a rich earthy vein. The savoury characteristics from a cool and exceptionally low cropping vintage are sensational when married with the classic Gibbston silky, fine tannins and electric acidity. Perhaps our most intriguing Pinot to date from this vineyard with vine age playing an important role in capturing a special vintage. This punchy young wine gives immediate gratification but it has all the hallmarks of a wine that is very worthy of cellaring and will show even more exciting features for many years to come.

About the Winery

The story of Valli Vineyards begins in 1998 with its owner and founder, Grant Taylor, an Otago winemaker. Grant named the winery after Giuseppe Valli, his great-great-grandfather.

Giuseppe came from a background of Italian winemaking. However, he had immigrated and shifted to New Zealand. The idea and intention behind Valli Vineyards were to create authentic representations of the sub-regions of the Otago region. He also wished to highlight and showcase the differences between the various areas of the region. Grant planned to do so with unflinching purity and intensity.

Grant decided to establish Valli Vineyards after eighteen years of gaining experience in the winemaking industry business and industry in the United States of America, New Zealand, France, and Australia. Before his venture for the winery, he acquired adequate and essential hands-on skills and practice. In 1980, Grant became involved in establishing Pine Ridge Winery in the city of Napa. He remained invested in winemaking there till 1986. In 1987, Grant helped establish and set up another winery in Napa, named Domaine Napa. He worked as the head winemaker there till 1993.

Grant got lured back to his homeland in 1993 with the promise of Otago wines he saw. He foresaw rich soil, plentiful harvests, clean air, and an increased potential for winemaking. Initially, he started working as a winemaker for and at Gibbston Valley Wines. At that time, the entire region of Otago had merely 20 hectares of land dedicated to vine-growing. In recent times, over 2000 hectares get assigned for the purpose. He left in 2006 to focus on Valli Vineyards.

The vineyards owned by Valli Vineyards enjoy the blessings of the beneficial microclimate of the region. The elements contribute to the growth of high-quality grapevines and grapes. In turn, it allows for the production of superior standard wines.

https://valliwine.com

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