The 2006 Gibbston Vineyard Pinot Noir is evidence that Grant knows this land better than many, exhibiting an engaging, savory-tinged nose with admirable concentration on the palate that is suffused with both texture and tension. Perhaps a -brooding- wine overall, this is nevertheless top-class winemaking. In a half-built woolshed with the wind howling outside, I tasted Grant Taylor's boutique wines under the Valli label. Having worked in Napa, Grant was head winemaker at Gibbston Valley Wines for 13 years before founding his own label after purchasing 6.5 hectares of vine in Gibbston. His wines are suffused with personality and charm and Grant obviously has an acute understanding of what makes great Pinot Noir. His are generally made with 25% whole bunches and matured in 30-40% new oak. I felt that Valli's white wines lacked a little concentration. Importer: RO Imports LLC, New York, NY; tel. (212) 984-2598; fax (212) 984-3306 and West Coast Wines, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 226-1980

Good deep, bright red. Wild blackberry, minerals and exotic spices on the captivating nose complicated by dried herbs and flowers, no doubt due to the inclusion of some whole clusters. Sappy, spicy, sweet and concentrated, with pungent, chewy flavors of blackberry, exotic spices, orange peel and minerals. Kept quite vibrant by brisk acids and some apparent CO2 Very firmly built and long pinot.

——J.C.(7/1/2008)—— 90