Centarl Otago

"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). This wine is drinking beautifully at release and will continue to develop for 10+ years." (Valli Vineyard)

 

Verkostungsnotiz von Joe Czerwinski, Februar 2020:
When the weather is just right—typically warm years—Gibbston can excel. Valli's 2018 Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir offers up a stunning array of herbal-floral aromas, hinting at roses, tea and mint, all backed by a core of red cherries. It's medium-bodied, silky and fine, with plentiful (but ripe) tannins. The 31% new French oak is scarcely noticeable, submerged under the waves of fruit-driven complexity, and the 30% whole-bunch component is similarly well integrated. What a beauty!

 

Verkostungsnotiz von James Suckling, 16. Oktober 2019:

Plenty of fresh red cherries and there’s a very rich, supple and fleshy feel to this wine, a shining example from the warmer, 2018 season. It offers such ample, fleshy, red and dark cherries, in a sweeping wrap of plush tannins. Succulent and juicy finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
 

"This incredibly fragrant and elegant wine is from our cooler site in Bannockburn in a warmer growing season resulting in a highly energetic wine with great flow and incredible layers of red and black fruit, baking spice and earth. The aromas are both intriguing and complex: fresh berry, lilac, baking spice and wild thyme. The palate is long and bright with cherry, raspberry, beautiful florals and cardamom. Silky fine tannins compliment the vibrant acidity, giving the wine length and memory. This wine is drinking beautifully at release and will continue to do so for at least a decade." (Valli Vineyards)

 

Verkostungsnotiz von Joe Czerwinski, Februar 2020:
The 2018 Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir features slightly chunkier fruit than found in Valli's bottlings from cooler regions (Waitaki, Gibbston). That may actually appeal more to consumers looking for a slightly bigger, richer style of Pinot Noir. Black cherries and notes of baking spices are framed by ripe tannins and crisp acids, and there's just a suggestion of cedary oak (it was aged in 30% new French pièces). It's smooth and supple on the finish, making it approachable now, yet it should age well for a decade or so..
 

"Deep garnet hue with bright fruit aromas of blackberry, cherry, and plum with toasted almond, coffee, and cedar. Fresh berry and cherry on the palate with nutmeg, mushroom, and earthy loam. A fresh and lively palate with fine tannins that build in the mouth with a long, vibrant finish. This vintage shows noteworthy freshness and refinement for Bendigo in a warm growing season. Bold and bright, this wine is intricately layered with a sturdy structure and incredible detail. Lively and inviting in its youth, this wine will also go the distance and is worthy of cellaring for 10+ years." (Valli Vineyards)

 

Verkostungsnotiz von Joe Czerwinski, Februar 2020:

The fullest-bodied Valli Pinot (from the warmest subregion), the 2018 Bendigo Vineyard Pinot Noir boasts ebullient black cherry and blackberry fruit. Medium to full-bodied, with hints of cocoa, clove and a bit of dusty-rose character, it's big but not lacking elegance or complexity, finishing with silky tannins and admirable length.

 

Verkostungsnotiz von James Suckling, 4. Dezember 2019:

Aromas of violet flowers, spiced plums and blueberries with background, spiced wood, leading to a palate that has a very fleshy, succulent and zesty core of ripe dark cherries, fine tannin and a plush, supple finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
 

"Bright garnet hue with vivid fruit aromas of wild strawberry, morello cherry, and plum married with sage, wild thyme, rose petal and a hint of cedar. The vibrant fruit, floral notes and savoury spice layer wonderfully with silky tannins and creamy texture highlighted by a fresh acidity that gives the wine tremendous energy. The warmer growing season resulted in a solid fruit set and an early start to harvest with all clones delivering brilliant, healthy clusters. Wild red fruit, intense fragrance and electric energy are the hallmarks of Waitaki Pinot Noir and this vintage is no exception, delivering a notably concentrated wine with plenty of cellaring potential." (Valli Vineyards)

  Verkostungsnotiz von James Suckling, 4. Dezember 2019:

This cooler area, in a warmer vintage, has worked a treat with this taut, focused and compact pinot. Fresh red cherries and sappy allure on the nose, moving to a palate that has almost chalky, compact tannins and a very succulent and detailed, fresh finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.