"A light garnet hue with wild strawberry and plum married with black olive, maple, sage, and oyster shell. The intriguing bouquet follows on the palate with garrigue spice, cardamom, damson plum, tart cherry, and mushroom. The palate has deceptive intensity with fine tannins and incredible persistence, finishing with distinctive salinity. Intense fragrance, unique savoury undertones, and electric energy = classic Waitaki Pinot Noir and this vintage is no exception. Captivating at release, this wine will continue to develop for a decade."
--------THE PRODUCER--------
Valli
Grant Taylor’s name is synonymous with Otago Pinot Noir. As owner and winemaker, Grant has been crafting wines there since 1993 when the region was in its infancy with only 20 ha planted, (today there are over 1700). Grant’s accomplishments are well known in the wine world, he is possibly New Zealand’s most awarded Pinot Noir producer, credited with winning the Best Pinot Noir Trophy at a major International Wine Competition in London an unprecedented three times – a feat achieved by no other winemaker in the world.
--------THE GRAPE--------
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir produces some of the world's most expensive, most lauded, rarest and delicious wines. Equally it is one of the most difficult grapes to grow successfully and as a result it is quite hard to make a balanced Pinot Noir. It is historically from Burgundy, most specifically in the Cote de Nuits, so much so that people will refer to Pinot Noir as a 'Burgundy'.
--------THE REGION--------
Central Otago
Central Otago is one of the most southerly wine regions in the world and it is most commonly referred to as Pinot Central, in New Zealand. It has a long history of winemaking dating back to the mid 1800s and in fact a 'Burgundy' from Central Otago won a gold medal in a Sydney wine competition in 1881. A few winemakers including Alan Brady helped to craft it into a leading Pinot Noir region for the world thanks to his fruit-bombs. Many fantastic aromatic white wines excel here also.