2016 Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir
From $115.00
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.
I assisted in the vineyard during this harvest, following an almost perfect 2015/16 growing season. I distinctly remember this seasons grapes being the sweetest I’ve tasted from these vines..
The fragrant bouquet exhibits profound floral notes, distinctive within this particular site. Most notably (with almost perfect growing conditions in 2015/16) rose petal, violets and wild thyme. Lingering beneath the botanicals, there’s a sweet black cherry fragrance.
Rich and fruit driven at the front of the palate, the mouthfeel is immediately balanced with those silky Gibbston tannins and sound (yet delicate) structure. Youthful flavours of cherry and plum stand guard while evidence of more complexity loiters patiently at the back of the palate. (chocolate, coffee, cedar).
Finishes gracefully with predominate savoury notes having the final say..Pair with anything lamb!
This wine is still developing and will continue to do so for the next 8-12+ years.
Raymond Chan’s Winery of the year 2016
96/100 Points - Bob Campbell MW
92/100 Points - Nick Stock - JamesSuckling.com
97/100 Points - 5 Stars - Sam Kim - Wine Orbit
19.5/20 Points - 5 Stars - Raymond Chan
5 Stars - Michael Cooper