Valli is the creation of pioneering Otago winemaker, Grant Taylor, and is dedicated to producing limited volumes of single vineyard wines from the most interesting of Otago’s sub-regions: Gibbston, Bannockburn and the Waitaki.
When you drink Valli wine, you are enjoying more than just a wine, you are also enjoying a place.
2009 Valli Old Vine Riesling
This wine has been produced from some of the South Islands oldest grape vines, (planted near Alexandra in 1981).
Of all New Zealand’s grape growing regions Alexandra has the greatest diurnal temperature range, perfect for Riesling, the hot days mean the fruit fully ripens while the cool nights help retain its acidity. The Valli Old Vine Riesling style is consistent with previous vintages, aromatically very perfumed; white peach and ripe stone fruits, with a hint of clean dusty crushed rock, (the minerality associated with this variety).
It is a dry Riesling, with the acidly being balanced by a core of concentrated ripe fruit and depth of flavour only old vines and low cropping levels can achieve.
As only one hectare of these old vines exists, production is very limited with less than 400 cases made annually. The philosophy behind the Riesling is the same as for all Valli wines; show a sense of place, work well with food and have the ability to age and improve over time, we expect it to be alive and well in 10 years so well worth cellaring
and watching evolve.
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$28
2008 Valli Waitaki Vineyard Pinot Noir
The Waitaki Valley in North Otago is New Zealand’s newest, and one of its most exciting wine producing regions.
The soils, like those of Burgundy are limestone based and like the more limestone rich parts of Burgundy the Waitaki Valley produces quite ethereal Pinot Noirs.
The renowned American Wine writer Steven Tanzer has described them as having the “delicacy and weightlessness that comes from limestone rich soils”. We couldn’t agree more and often use the term “lightness of being” in relation to the best Waitaki Pinots as there is serious substance to them yet they are light and lively on the palate. They have amazingly perfumed aromatics; talc, crushed limestone, dried herb, spice and red berry fruit. Often not picked till mid May the grapes benefit from a long “hang time” before harvest producing wines with very fine, ripe integrated tannins and incredible length of flavour.
Valli has been producing wines from the Waitaki since 2004, we have seen a consistency in style and sense of place across all vintages indicating it has what’s needed to be recognized as one of the world’s great wine regions
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$55
2007 Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir
Limited Quantities available
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$55
2008 Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir
Bright raspberry, cherry, cola fruit, exotic spices with hint of toasty barrel in background. Silky, supple texture wrapped around a core of bright acidity waving seamlessly through the palate. A broad range of flavours adding to the wines complexity and length.
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$55
2008 Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir
Perfumed, ripe plum fruit, mocha and toffee notes. Rich ripe dense fruit, up front power layered with complex spice from barrels and use of whole bunches.
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$55
2008 Valli Row 36 Pinot Noir Magnums
To ensure the best fruit possible the Valli estate vineyard in Gibbston has been planted with true North-South orientation, guaranteeing equal sun exposure and perfect uniformity of ripeness.
Consequently the vineyard is diamond-shaped, with shorter rows on the sides and the longest in the middle. This longest row is number 36, also called the 'thinking row' because when working in it there is more time for the mind to wander and come up with ideas. (It can be a very dangerous row.)
For harvest 2007 I had the help of Josselin de Gesincourt (New Zealand Sommelier of the Year, 2007). While picking row 36, Josselin decided it should be made separately, bottled in magnums and labelled 'Row 36'. However from a winemaking and wine quality point of view this was not practical.
Joss was not to be dissuaded. Wanting to get on with harvest, an agreement was reached, I would make the wines (after all I am the winemaker), but before blending he would get to taste every barrel. If his favourite barrel was the same as mine it would be bottled separately in magnums and labelled 'Row 36'.
Thinking that would be the end, and that all would be forgotten, I was in for two surprises. First, Joss turned up 10 months later to taste (and my best efforts to sabotage his memory only ended up with a seriously depleted cellar). And second, when we each revealed our favourite barrel, secretly written down after tasting over 30, we had both selected the same one!
So 'Row 36' was born. It is simply the very best single barrel from the 2007 vintage.
$150
2008 Valli Old Vine Riesling
Old vines and Alexandra’s warm nights mean the resulting Riesling grapes had low acids enough not to need residual sugar. This is a dry Riesling with ripe quince and stone fruit aromatics with some perfumed citrus notes in the background.
The palate is broad and rich with great fruit ripeness and, like all the Rieslings coming from Black Ridge’s old vines, I expect it to age very well and develop complexity over the next few years.
2007 Riesling
2007 Valli Old Vine Riesling
The palate is broad and rich with great fruit ripeness and, like all the Rieslings coming from Black Ridge’s old vines, I expect it to age very well and develop complexity over the next few years.
2006 Valli Waitaki Vineyard Pinot Noir
Nose: Very open and perfumed aromatics, raspberry fruit with dusty/earthy herb notes in the background Palate: Waitaki Pinot Noirs are not about impact or density, they are “lightness of being.” This wine has clear acidity which keeps the wine light on the palate but delivers great length, carrying raspberry fruit flavours and minerality on for what seems like forever.
Awards and Reviews
91 Points, Stephen Tanzer, RO Imports, Sep/Oct 07:
“Good full red. Slightly high-toned, perfumed aromas of cherry, cinnamon and mace, with hints of exotic spices. Suave on entry, then sappy and silky, with a fine-grained texture, subtle flavours of raspberry, spices and minerals, and a very long, smooth finish. This pinot has a delicacy and weightlessness that come from limestone-rich soils.”
2006 Valli Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir
Layered spice, cedar and violet aromatics. Palate: Long silky textured mouth feel supported by a structure of bright acidity. This is the core and backbone which is complimented by the red fruits, dried tarragon, thyme and seasoned spices. Gibbston’s length of flavour and longevity is due to this bright acidity whereas Bannockburn Pinots live more on their tannins.
Awards and Reviews
Wine Spectator, 92 points, Top 2006 New Zealand Pinot Noir, May 2008
“Stylish and focused, with black cherry, wild berry, spice and mineral. Intense stone flavours weave through the fruit. 92 points.”
Wine Advocate, 92 Points, May 2008
“The 2006 Gibbston Vineyard PN is evidence that Grant knows this land better than many, exhibiting an engaging, savoury-tinged nose with admirable concentration on the palate that is suffused with both texture and tension.”
Cuisine Magazine, 5 Stars, Top Three 2006 Pinot Noirs, November 2007
“A more masculine style, beautifully put together, with an alluring violet-tinged aroma and black fruit richness.”
5 Stars, Michael Cooper’s Buyers Guide to New Zealand Wines 2008
“Deeply coloured, finely scented and supple, with rich cherry and plum flavours, beautifully ripe, fresh and vibrant. It’s a classy, complex wine with excellent harmony and length.”
91 points, Stephen Tanzer, RO Imports, Sept/Oct 2007
“Good deep, bright red. Wild blackberry, minerals and exotic spices on the captivating nose complicated by dried herbs and flowers, no doubt due to the inclusion of some whole clusters. Sappy, spicy, sweet and concentrated, with pungent, chewy flavors of blackberry, exotic spices, orange peel and minerals…”
2005 Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir
Colour: Violet with youthful dark purple tinge.
Nose: Ripe black berry / perfumed wild raspberry fruit with dark chocolate and mocha woven through it.
Mouth: Intensely concentrated and sweet textured with great length of dark berry flavours on the palate. Well integrated acidity provides the structure for this wine, keeping it bright and vibrant while adding to the persistence of flavours. Because of its fine tannin structure, this relatively youthful Pinot Noir is very drinkable at an early age.
Wine Spectator Reviews
91 Points - Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005
Ripe and intense, with delicious blackberry, black plum and spice flavors. Plenty of cedary oak, fresh herb notes and minerality linger, with a tangy solid structure. Drink now through 2011.
2005 Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir
Colour: Vibrant Bright Ruby
Nose: Lifted red berry fruits entwined with exotic perfumed spice notes. Very seductive and generous.
Mouth: Supple, concentrated, and very textural upon entry. Perfectly balanced acidity and very fine tannin structure support the wines richness. It has great length of flavour, with red berry, tamarillo and spice carried all the way through the palate. This is classic Gibbston Pinot Noir showing the finesse, elegance, and length that makes Burgundy famous.
Wine Spectator Reviews
90 Points - Valli Gibbston Central Otago Pinot Noir 2005
Offers up fragrant, lithe array of cinnamon, black plum, cherry and fresh herb flavors. Cedary oak and a solid structure shape the intense finish with lingering minerality. Drink now through 2010.
2004 Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir
Colour: Deep Violet
Nose: Bright black cherry / plum fruit with dark chocolate and spice notes in the background.
Mouth: Beautiful rich concentrated silky textured fruit on the palate. Supported and balanced by the subtle acidity which gives the wine great length of flavour and persistence. Because of the nature of the vintage, the 2004 Bannockburn, has the most powerful tannin structure, and of all three wines, would offer the greatest reward for long term cellaring.
2004 Waitaki Pinot Noir
The Waitaki Valley is New Zealand's newest and potentially most exciting Pinot Noir producing region. Located inland North Otago on limestone soils, this wine shows the Waitaki is already producing complex savoury Pinot Noirs that reflect their origin.
2003 Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir
This classic Gibbston Pinot Noir has a perfumed floral, spice and dried herb nose. In the mouth it has the region's hallmarks of finesse, power and great lengths of flavours. The inherent fine tannin structure of Gibbston makes the wines extremely enjoyable when young as well as giving them aging potential.
2003 Bannockburn Pinot Noir
Our Bannockburn Pinot Noir has cherry/red plum fruit and savoury spice notes on the nose. It has the region's characteristic supple sensuous mouth feel with powerful fruit sweetness. The great persistence of flavours and ripe tannins framing this wine should give it an aging potential of at least 10 years.
2002 Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir
"Gibbston Vineyard is richly coloured, enticingly scented and drenched with cherry plum and spice flavour, ripe and supple."
Michael Cooper ~ Star Times
2002 Bannockburn Pinot Noir
"A powerful, tannic wine with bold cherryish nutty flavours. "
Michael Cooper ~ Star Times