The 2006 Bannockburn Vineyard Pinot Noir is more reticent on the nose before developing chalky notes, the palate gritty but very cohesive on the finish. Complex with a lot of dry extract on the finish, this is an intellectual, multi-faceted wine. Both these wines should drink between 3-5 years. 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

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