The 2023 Valli Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir Half Bottle (375ml) is a powerful and beautifully refined single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Bannockburn in Central Otago, New Zealand, crafted by Valli under winemaker Jen Parr. Bannockburn is one of Central Otago's warmest and most celebrated Pinot Noir subregions, with low rainfall, intense sunlight and distinctive loamy schist-derived soils producing wines of concentration, dark fruit and firm mineral structure. The 2023 Bannockburn shows the classic personality of the site, opening with blackberry, blueberry and dark cherry alongside wild thyme, evergreen, lily and jasmine. Valli considers this a particularly age-worthy release, with the potential to continue evolving for approximately 20 years.
The 2023 was made with 35% whole bunches and matured for 11 months in French oak, 27% new, adding savoury complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The palate is concentrated yet energetic, combining red and dark cherry, damson plum and pomegranate with dried herbs, citrus peel, spice, flinty minerality and subtle earthy complexity. Fine schist-like tannins and bright acidity give the wine impressive structure and persistence.
