2018 Valli Gibbston Pinot Noir
$95.00
( In Stock)
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.
Glimmering garnet hue with a fascinating array of aromas from mineral and floral to earthy and spicy/herbaceous. The palate commences savoury with delicious dried herb and mushroom flowing into bright red fruit, with a long and spicy finish. The noteworthy “Gibbston” silky, fine tannins coupled with intriguing layers and intricate detail deliver a refined and classy wine from a truly eccentric growing season (hottest and wettest on record!). This wine personifies everything we love about Gibbston Pinot Noir: powerful, graceful, generous and above all – memorable. It is drinking beautifully at release and will continue to develop for 10+ years.
95/100 Points - Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Judges Selection Award for Best New Zealand Red - TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2020
Named in the "Fine Wines of New Zealand List 2020”
96/100 Points - 5 Stars - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
95/100 Points - Bob Campbell MW
95/100 Points - Gourmet Traveller WINE Magazine
93/100 Points - Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
93/100 Points - Cameron Douglas MS
92/100 Points - Tom Cannavan
19/20 Points - Joelle Thomson
5 Stars - Michael Cooper, Winestate Magazine