From a cooler than average vintage in the Gibbston Valley in Central Otago (877 GDD) and off nineteen year old vines with a variety of clones. Under screwcap. A medium, transparent garnet colour profile. On the nose my mind goes to red cherry & dried herbs. The tannins are supple and elegant, despite the 20% whole bunch used, reflective of the limestone-based soil spread through river gravels. On the palate it is round and juicy with flavours of delicately sweet red fruit – cherry and redcurrant with a hint of oak (32% new oak, 11 months) which compliments rather than distracts from the fruit. Gibbston to my mind always delivers a more savoury, beguiling style and this is no exception. Fully resolved and well integrated. Nothing sticks out – very balanced. Younger than I would normally open but it’s in a good place and would expect to present similarly in the next 5-10 years. 93pts
Valli Gibbston Pinot Noir 2020
