Valli Pisa Pinot Noir 2023

Accolades:
96/100 – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
94/100 – James Suckling
93/100 – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
93/100 – Cameron Douglas MS
93/100 – Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review
91/100 – Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
5 stars – Michael Cooper

“Perfumed pot-pourri, stem and incense of whole bunch leads to a fruit-sweet palate of red berry with savoury olive and sun-dried tomato complexity. The tannins are firm and angular, needing considerable time to resolve into the otherwise generously fruity core. Savoury tones are dominant on the finish, with plenty of sinewy power yet to unfurl.” – Stephen Wong MW

“Aromas of dried strawberries, citrus and stones show through clearly on the nose, following through to a medium body with fine, tight and pointed tannins that give texture and tension to this young pinot. Long and lively. Polished at the end. Drink or hold.” – James Suckling

“The 2023 Pisa Pinot Noir is a new cuvée in the range—at least, new to The Wine Advocate—and continues the frankly stellar run of wines in this 2023 release. Supple, intensely red-fruited, elegant, persistent and finely structured, this is one of the more “obvious” wines in the lineup, but in this way, it is so very easily understandable as well. It is juicy, spicy, mineral and delicate, with great drive and pace through the finish. These are great wines, the lot of them.” – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“Full-bodied, fleshy and impressively complex, this Pinot Noir is a new addition to the outstanding Valli range of single region Pinots from across Central Otago. In this case, the wine is made with grapes grown on a high altitude vineyard in Pisa, which has been managed by the Valli team since 2021. This wine is smoky, fruit-forward and robust with a structured framework of bright acidity and firm, smooth tannins, which will integrate, unfolding savoury layers of complexity over the next six to seven years and beyond. It’s also divine right now — please decant.” – Joelle Thomson

Tasting Note: “The inaugural Valli Pisa Pinot Noir comes from Highgrange Vineyard, an elevated site on Mt. Pisa. The nose is immediately seductive with aromas of damson plum, dark cherry, red pear, and ripe raspberry complemented by savoury notes of wild sage and cedar, with a wisp of white blossom. The palate is silky and rich with wonderful layers of red fruit and spice woven together by an abundance of fine tannin and bright acidity. The wine is assertive, yet playful and will continue to develop for well over a decade. I am excited to see where it will take us!” – Jen Parr

Winemaking Notes: Harvested on 3rd & 18th April 2023. 25% whole bunch fruit, aged in 20% new oak for 11 months. Unfined, cross flow filtered. 592 dozen total production.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Region: Mount Pisa, Central Otago, New Zealand