The Vintages

James Love Pinot Noir is created from grapes grown in the Love Family Vineyard situated outside of Alexandra, in the heart of Central Otago, the world's southernmost wine producing region.

Recent Reviews

The James Love vintages 2003, 2004, 2005 have in recent weeks been reviewed and compared with each other by the well-known senior New Zealand wine judge and commentator Sue Courtney, on her highly informative and popular website New Zealand Wine of the Week.

James Love Pinot Noir 2005

Quite a burgundy-like style with strong red and black cherry flavours underpinned by subtle spiciness and French oak. The wine has a soft structure of ripe tannins that offer a pleasantly dry finish. Pure, fruit-focused Pinot Noir.

Total score (out of 100 points): 90

Kind Regards
Bob Campbell, Master of Wine
BOB CAMPBELL
Master of Wine

James Love Pinot Noir 2004

This is an elegant wine showing raspberries and spice on the nose and palate. The berryfruit combines with the mid palate tannins giving great structure. A wine made to accompany food!
(13.7% vol)

James Love Pinot Noir 2003

With a refined texture and vanilla and spicy oak flavours, this is a deep, strawberry wine and is ready to drink now or store for three to four years. Enjoy!
(14% vol)

Winemaker's Notes

Hand-harvested, the grapes were de-stemmed, crushed and batch fermented in open top stainless steel tanks. After 6-10 days of cold soak, a selected yeast was used to ferment the must, attaining a temperature of 33 degrees Celsius. The wine was hand-plunged up to four times a day, and on completion of primary fermentation, racked to new and old French oak barriques to undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine remained in barrel for 11 months and was lightly filtered prior to bottling.

This elegant Pinot Noir displays lovely bright fruits of cherry and boysenberry with hints of smoky French oak and a distinct spicy finish.