2016 Valli Bendigo Pinot Noir, Central Otago

Dense, ripe pinot noir with dark-fleshed plum, liquorice, cassis and spicy oak. A weighty wine with a firm structure of ripe tannins that give a drying finish. Quite youthful. Will reward cellaring. Drinking Window 2017 - 2024

94 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com 31 Jul 2017

Dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red, a little lighter on the edge, very youthful in appearance. The nose is firmly packed with deep and dense, tightly concentrated black berried fruits along with notes of liquorice, plum and spice, with nuances of dark herbs and whole bunch suggestions. The nose unfolds layered complexities. Medium-full bodied, the palate has a deeply concentrated and densely packed core of ripe dark-red and black berried fruits with nuances of black plums and liquorice, along with subtle notes of herbs and whole bunch elements, revealing mineral nuances. The palate has considerable extraction with fine-grained, flowery tannins and integrated, ripe acidity. The structure carries the wine to a fine, firm, dry-textured finish. This is a firm and densely packed, black-fruited Pinot Noir with liquorice notes and subtle herb, stalk and mineral complexities on a well-structured palate with flowery tannins. Match with roasted beef, lamb and venison, and semi-hard cheeses over the next 8-10 years. 

19+/20 Raymond Chan