Bali Vineyards Pisa Pinot Noir 2023

Red Fruits and Transparency

About the Vineyard

Valli Vineyards owns vineyards in several sub-regions of Central Otago, expressing the unique characteristics of each site through their wines. Gibbston, Bannockburn, Bendigo, and Pisa – even with the same Pinot Noir grape, the taste varies entirely depending on the vineyard.

This Pisa Pinot Noir is their newest and smallest production wine.

The Pisa Range is a mountain range west of the Cromwell Basin in Central Otago. It's an uplifted massif formed by crustal faulting, with its highest peak reaching an elevation of 1,963m.

Their Highgrange Vineyard is located on its slopes, at an elevation of approximately 380m, facing north. Due to the higher altitude, temperatures are lower, and the grapes ripen slowly.

Grant Taylor, Valli's founder, describes the wine from this vineyard as "a wine that lives on acidity. Floral, aromatic, and beautifully clean."

Valli began cultivating this vineyard themselves in 2021. 2022 was the first vintage, and 2023 is the second. Production is a mere 592 cases (approx. 7,100 bottles).

Winemaking

Harvest was done by hand in two stages on April 3rd and April 18th. 25% whole cluster was used, and the wine was aged for 11 months in French oak barrels (20% new oak). Bottled unfined and with crossflow filtration.

Reviews

Sam Kim (Wine Orbit) 96 points, James Suckling 94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 93 points, Cameron Douglas MS 93 points, Stephen Wong MW 93 points. Michael Cooper 5 stars.

Tasting Notes

The color is a bright garnet, giving an impression of vibrancy and transparency.

The aroma presents damson plum, dark cherry, and raspberry, with white flowers and wild sage emerging from deeper within.

On the palate, red fruits and spices intertwine, enveloped by delicate tannins and bright acidity. The finish is silky. It is powerful but never heavy.

This wine perfectly embodies winemaker Jen Parr's description of "power and playfulness coexisting."

If drinking now, please decant for about an hour after opening. The ideal serving temperature is 16-18℃.

Recommended Pairings

Pairs well with lighter meat dishes or lean red meats. Duck with cherry sauce is a classic pairing that directly complements the wine's fruitiness.

Game meats are a perfect match. Lean beef also pairs very well. Eel with sansho pepper could also be a good match. For cheese, aged Comté is recommended.

For game or braised dishes, try braised wild boar or venison, or red wine-braised beef cheek. The wild flavors and the wine's fruitiness will resonate beautifully.

For lean red meats, consider roast beef or grilled tuna. The lack of fat balances well with the wine's delicate tannins.

For Japanese cuisine, seared beef tataki (with wasabi soy sauce) or grilled eel (kabayaki) with plenty of sansho pepper.

For cheese, aged Comté (18 months or more) or aged Gouda. Those with concentrated umami flavors pair particularly well.

 

About the Winery "Valli Vineyards"

Valli Wine was founded in 1998 by legendary New Zealand 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 is the belief in "bottling the character of the land as it is." They showcase the fascinating way the taste of wine can change dramatically depending on where the same grape variety is grown (climate and soil).

"Two Genius Winemakers" Recognized Globally

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

Grant Taylor (Founder)

A 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 US, she has extensive experience both domestically and internationally, and has even been awarded "Winemaker of the Year" in New Zealand.

"Four Vineyards" with Completely Different Personalities

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

Gibbston

Characteristics

A very cool place where grapes ripen the slowest.

Flavor

Slow ripening results in elegant, refined, complex, and delicate flavors. A rare "orange wine" is also made here.

Bannockburn

Characteristics

Just 20km from Gibbston, but a warmer area.

Flavor

Produces powerful wines with deep color, intense fruitiness, and a firm tannic structure.

Bendigo

Characteristics

A warm vineyard that consistently receives plenty of sunshine and retains heat well.

Flavor

Characterized by rich, opulent, and full-bodied flavors, described as a "friendly beast."

Waitaki

Characteristics

A new region established in 2004. The soil is limestone, similar to the prestigious Burgundy region of France.

Flavor

Features elegant, perfumed aromas, crisp, clear acidity, and minerality. The Chardonnay, in particular, is considered exceptional.

Terroir Woven by Two Artisans. Inviting Drinkers on a Special Journey

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

Even without specialized knowledge, the greatest appeal is the ability to clearly experience the difference in terroir (the character of the land) simply by "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 Region

Central Otago, the southernmost wine region in New Zealand, is renowned for its Pinot Noir and is considered one of the "world's top three Pinot Noir regions," alongside Burgundy and Oregon.

Beyond Pinot Noir, the region focuses on cultivating aromatic white grapes. Central Otago is unique among New Zealand's wine regions for its semi-continental climate, characterized by significant diurnal temperature variation, coolness, and extreme dryness.

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

Valli Vineyards Pisa 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