Varli Vineyards Bendigo Pinot Noir 2023

Dense & Complex Pinot

About the Vineyard

Valli Vineyards owns vineyards in several subregions of Central Otago, expressing the unique character of each terroir in their wines. Pinot Noirs from Gibbston, Bannockburn, Pisa, and Bendigo, despite being made by the same winemaker from the same grape variety, exhibit strikingly different characteristics.

Among these, Bendigo possesses the most powerful personality.

Located northeast of Lake Dunstan in Central Otago, Bendigo is known as a particularly warm and dry subregion.

Spreading across the western slopes of the Dunstan Mountains, it boasts abundant sunshine and a topography that retains heat well. Bendigo Pinot Noir is sometimes described as a "friendly beast" due to its richness and power.

Valli uses the Zebra Vineyard in Bendigo, which is situated on the Chinamans Terrace (named after the Chinese gold miners who lived there during the 19th-century gold rush).

Grant Taylor, Valli's founder, was particularly impressed by Chinamans Terrace among the five sites he worked with in Bendigo and began producing wine there.

Planted in 2005, with a planting density of 4,545 vines/ha. Production is 2,045 cases.

Winemaking

Harvest was carefully hand-picked in five stages: March 29, April 4, 6, 9, and 24. 40% whole cluster was used (the most among Valli's four wines). Fermentation reached a maximum temperature of 33 degrees Celsius and lasted for 23 days. Aged for 11.5 months in French oak barrels (26% new oak). Bottled unfined and cross-flow filtered.

Ratings

Sam Kim (Wine Orbit) 97 points, James Suckling 95 points, Cameron Douglas MS 95 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 95 points (Erin Larkin, "2026-2038"), Candice Chow 95 points, Stephen Wong MW 94 points. Michael Cooper 5 stars. Dish Magazine Pinot Noir Tasting Gold Medal.

Tasting Notes

Deep garnet color, visibly concentrated.

Aromas of blackberry, American cherry, and plum, layered with nuances of rosemary and dark chocolate, creating a complex impression. The intensity of the aroma is also prominent.

On the palate, dark fruits, spices, and umami intertwine, enveloped by a vibrant stream of acidity. Silky and rich texture. Fine-grained tannins build up in the mouth, leading to a long and memorable finish. Approachable in its youth, with a cellaring potential of 15+ years.

If drinking now, decanting for at least 2 hours after opening is recommended. The ideal temperature is 16-18°C.

Recommended Pairings

Game meat is the best match. Lean beef also pairs well. Eel with sansho pepper could also be a good match. For cheese, aged Comté, etc.

For game or stewed dishes, wild boar or venison stew, or beef cheek braised in red wine. The wild umami and the complexity of the wine deeply resonate.

For beef, roast beef (with wasabi soy sauce). It's best to lean on the umami of the lean meat rather than the fat. Steak is good, but stews and roasts are more suitable.

For Japanese cuisine, grilled eel with plenty of sansho pepper. The tingling bitterness of sansho and the dark fruitiness of the wine create an interesting dialogue.

For cheese, aged Comté (18+ months), aged Mimolette, aged Gouda. Types with concentrated umami pair particularly well.

About Valli Vineyards

Valli Wines was established in 1998 by New Zealand's legendary winemaker, Grant Taylor. The winery is named in honor of his great-grandfather, Giuseppe Valli, who immigrated from Italy.

At the heart of their winemaking philosophy is "bottling the essence of the land as it is." They convey through their wines the fascinating fact that even the same grape variety can taste astonishingly different depending on where it grows (climate and soil).

Two "Genius Winemakers" Recognized Globally

Valli's greatest strength lies in the collaboration of two world-class winemakers.

Grant Taylor (Founder)

A leading pioneer representing New Zealand. He is the only legendary winemaker in the world to have won the unprecedented "Best Pinot Noir Award" four times at international competitions in London.

Jen Parr (Co-Winemaker)

A talented winemaker who joined in 2015. Hailing from the USA, she possesses extensive international and domestic experience and is a brilliant talent who has also won New Zealand's "Best Winemaker Award."

Four Vineyards with Completely Different Personalities

Valli primarily produces Pinot Noir, the king of red wines, along with white wines such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. Their four regions (vineyards) each possess completely different characteristics.

Gibbston

Characteristics

A very cool region where grapes ripen slowest.

Taste

Slow ripening results in an elegant, refined, complex, and delicate flavor. A rare "orange wine" is also produced here.

Bannockburn

Characteristics

Only 20km from Gibbston, but a warmer area.

Taste

Produces powerful wines with dark color, intense fruit flavors, and moderate tannins that form the backbone.

Bendigo

Characteristics

A warm vineyard that consistently receives abundant sunlight and retains heat well.

Taste

Characterized by a rich, full-bodied, and voluminous flavor, described as a "friendly beast."

Waitaki

Characteristics

A new region that started in 2004. The soil is limestone, similar to Burgundy, a high-quality region in France.

Taste

Characterized by a gorgeous aroma like perfume, crisp, clear acidity, and minerality. Chardonnay, in particular, is considered exquisite.

Two Artisans Weaving Terroir. Inviting Drinkers on a Special Journey

Valli Wines is a winery born from the fusion of New Zealand's great nature and the exceptional skill of two artisans.

Without needing difficult specialized knowledge, the biggest appeal is the ability to clearly experience the difference in terroir by simply "comparing wines from different vineyards." They deliver beautiful and honest wines that take drinkers, from beginners to connoisseurs, on a special journey.

About Central Otago

Central Otago, New Zealand's southernmost wine region, is renowned for its Pinot Noir, often referred to as one of the "world's three great Pinot Noir regions" alongside Burgundy and Oregon.

Beyond Pinot Noir, the region focuses on cultivating aromatic white grape varieties. Central Otago is the only semi-continental climate among New Zealand's wine regions, characterized by large daily temperature fluctuations, cool temperatures, and very dry conditions.

It is also a treasure trove of small wineries, and wine tours based out of the scenic town of Queenstown are popular.

Valli Vineyards Bendigo Pinot Noir 2023

Item	Content
Winery Name	Valli Vineyards
Country of Origin	New Zealand
Region	Central Otago
Type	Red
Grape Variety	Pinot Noir
Vintage	2023
Alcohol Content	13.5%
Volume	750ml
Other
Notes	Screw cap