2023 Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir

97 POINTS

Sam Kim - Wine Orbit

Wonderfully fruited and lifted, the bouquet shows dark berry, cured meat, tar, olive, and hazelnut aromas. This leads to a wonderfully weighted palate delivering terrific fruit intensity with gorgeous complexity. Wonderfully framed by silky texture and layers of polished tannins, it is bold and sturdy with a super-long, harmonious finish.

96 POINTS

Dave Brookes - Halliday Wine Companion

What a beautiful-smelling pinot noir from the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago; 35% whole bunch and matured for 11 months in French oak, 27% new. Tendrils of amaro herbs and struck flint flow down through the ripe, juicy red and dark cherry and damson plum fruits. There are hints of medina spice, dried citrus rind, twiggy bits 'n' bobs, Chinese barbecue joint, pomegranate, citrus blossom, thyme and undergrowth. The wine, initially focused in flavours, flairs out on the mid-palate, taking on a composed, graceful and wonderfully complex path across the palate. Fine, schisty tannin and bright acidity play their role nicely and the finish is elegant and all class.

94 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2023 Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir is vibrant, lithe, spicy, saturated with red fruit flavor and persistent through the finish. In the mouth, the tannins are chalky, fine and pliable, and they serve to shape the fruit as it flows across the palate. The acidity contributes a little race and pace to the palate, but it all works in concert. This is a delicious wine of personality and elegance but, most importantly, of place. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

93 POINTS

Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous

The 2023 Pinot Noir from the Bannockburn area of Central Otago offers a fuller expression of the variety, but that is its sense of place. It's ripe and round, with an abundance of fine, powdery tannins. Attractive damson and black cherry fruit suffuse the palate, and the fruit concentration soaks up the oak maturation admirably. Barrel-aging adds a subtle note of nutty toastiness but allows the fruit to shine. The finish is quite long, with the tannin and fruit density to see positive evolution in bottle.

93 POINTS

James Suckling

Aromas of flowers, beans, brine and black cherries follow through to a medium body with fine and integrated tannins and a fresh and vivid finish. This needs some bottle age or at least air before serving. Best from 2026.

93 POINTS

Emma Jenkins MW - Decanter

Sourced from the loamy schist soils of Bannockburn, this reflects the sub-region's reputation for generosity and texture. A vibrant perfume of red and black fruits, orange blossom, spice and florals leads to a supple, velvety palate with a solid fruit core. There’s plushness and polish here, underpinned by the dusty silkiness of fine dark cocoa powder tannins than give the wine shape. Rounded and harmonious with decent length, it’s very nicely made.