Wine Article
2020 Valli Pinot Noir Bannockburn Vineyard
Last edited on 8/16/2022 by LindsayM
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“Deep garnet hue with a lifted fragrance mingling fresh florals, dried herb, red & blue fruit, liquorice, earthy loam and new leather. The flavours mirror the aromas with bright fruit, a savoury edge and delicious floral notes. Immediately fresh, the silky textured palate builds in the mouth and crescendos with a memorable, lingering finish. Vibrant at release, this wine is apt for cellaring and will continue to evolve for 15+/-years.” Jen Parr
Viticulture
Location: Hall Road Bannockburn, Central Otago
Climate: Semi-Continental
Clones: 777, 115, UCD 5 10x5, 113, 13,Abel
Soils:Wind blown Loess over schist bedrock. Deep, moderately sandy, and free-draining
GDD: Approximately 1149
Rainfall:Approximately 275 mm per Annum
Vine Age: Planted 2000
Yield:3.2 Tonnes / Hectare
Vine Density: 3,500 / Hectare
Trellis System VSP
Winemaking
Harvest Date: 9th & 17th April 2020
Brix:24.5
pH:
T.A.
Whole Bunch:22%
Peak Fermentation Temp: 31°C
Cuvaison:20 Days
Oak Percentages:New 29%,
Time in Barrel:11 Months
Coopers Used: Ana Selection, Billon
Fining:None
Filtering:None
Alcohol:14%
Total Bottles Produced:8184 682 Dozen
A look at the 2020 Growing Season and Grape Harvest
"2020 will be one of those more easily remembered vintages, not just because of the nervousness surrounding Covid-19 but also because of the nervousness over summer. The growing season was cooler than average in Otago and by late March we were wondering if our fruit would ever reach desired ripeness levels before the season ended.
Then came April and May. It would be impossible to dream of a better autumn for winemaking: six weeks of warm, dry, frost-free weather. The grapes had all the time needed to fully ripen.
Our last day of harvest was May 9th. My memories of that day are of discarded jackets, sweaters, shirts, even singlets hung on posts at the end of the row by mid-day and the thermometer reading over 20 c. Oh, for harvest conditions like those again…minus the virus of course.
The cool summer, particularly at the start, had the effect all summers like that have: slower cell division giving us smaller berries. Consequently, the total yields for all of Central Otago wineries were 28% lower than the previous year, even including new vineyard plantings coming on stream. Those lower yields also helped make it easier for what we had to ripen." Grant Taylor
Expect concentrated and age-worthy Pinot Noirs.
Valli Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2020:
• 92/100 Points – Bob Campbell MW
• 91/100 Points – Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous.com
• Gold Medal, International Wine Challenge, London
• Decanter World Wine Awards – Best in Show. 97/100 Points
• 95/100 Points – Cameron Douglas MS
• 95/100 - Bob Campbell MW
Viticulture
Location: Hall Road Bannockburn, Central Otago
Climate: Semi-Continental
Clones: 777, 115, UCD 5 10x5, 113, 13,Abel
Soils:Wind blown Loess over schist bedrock. Deep, moderately sandy, and free-draining
GDD: Approximately 1149
Rainfall:Approximately 275 mm per Annum
Vine Age: Planted 2000
Yield:3.2 Tonnes / Hectare
Vine Density: 3,500 / Hectare
Trellis System VSP
Winemaking
Harvest Date: 9th & 17th April 2020
Brix:24.5
pH:
T.A.
Whole Bunch:22%
Peak Fermentation Temp: 31°C
Cuvaison:20 Days
Oak Percentages:New 29%,
Time in Barrel:11 Months
Coopers Used: Ana Selection, Billon
Fining:None
Filtering:None
Alcohol:14%
Total Bottles Produced:8184 682 Dozen
A look at the 2020 Growing Season and Grape Harvest
"2020 will be one of those more easily remembered vintages, not just because of the nervousness surrounding Covid-19 but also because of the nervousness over summer. The growing season was cooler than average in Otago and by late March we were wondering if our fruit would ever reach desired ripeness levels before the season ended.
Then came April and May. It would be impossible to dream of a better autumn for winemaking: six weeks of warm, dry, frost-free weather. The grapes had all the time needed to fully ripen.
Our last day of harvest was May 9th. My memories of that day are of discarded jackets, sweaters, shirts, even singlets hung on posts at the end of the row by mid-day and the thermometer reading over 20 c. Oh, for harvest conditions like those again…minus the virus of course.
The cool summer, particularly at the start, had the effect all summers like that have: slower cell division giving us smaller berries. Consequently, the total yields for all of Central Otago wineries were 28% lower than the previous year, even including new vineyard plantings coming on stream. Those lower yields also helped make it easier for what we had to ripen." Grant Taylor
Expect concentrated and age-worthy Pinot Noirs.
Valli Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2020:
• 92/100 Points – Bob Campbell MW
• 91/100 Points – Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous.com
• Gold Medal, International Wine Challenge, London
• Decanter World Wine Awards – Best in Show. 97/100 Points
• 95/100 Points – Cameron Douglas MS
• 95/100 - Bob Campbell MW