2015 Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir
$125.00
Valli wines are produced by legendary New World winemaker, Grant Taylor. Among his many accolades, Grant has produced no less than four Champion Pinot Noir's at London's International Wine and Spirits Challenge, a feat achieved by no other winemaker anywhere, ever. The sub-regional expression exhibited through his wines is bonafide evidence of the increasing impact of terroir on the continuously evolving flavour profile of Central Otago Pinot Noir. I'm excited to showcase Valli's original Pinot Noir from the Gibbston Valley. Planted in 1999 ( with help from my fiancé ) the soils comprise mostly of ground schist with alluvial loess and rocky gravels, promoting free drainage.
Floral perfumed aromatics are indicative of Central Otago’s Gibbston Valley and I find them most evident in this particular vineyard. These floral tones are complimented with hints of spicy black fruit notes and subtle integrating French oak.
Silky tannins create a balanced mouthfeel that dances over the entire palate. The structure, still youthfully sound with fresh acidity, supports a tremendous combination of preserved date, wild thyme and milk chocolate flavours.
There’s an intriguing savouriness on the finish, bolstered from the acidity of the cooler vintage. Albeit still youthful, this wine exhibits tremendous character and age-worthy cellaring potential. So easy to drink right now but will continue to develop in the cellar for another 6-10+years.
Raymond Chan’s Winery of the Year 2016
19/20 Points - 5 Stars - Raymond Chan
96/100 Points - 5 Stars - Sam Kim - Wine Orbit
90 Points - Wine Spectator
5 Stars - Michael Cooper