Fresh and lively, revealing a pretty floral note of violet, with cherry, plum and robust tobacco flavors. Offers a hint of dark chocolate on the firm, muscular finish. Harmonious and powerful. Drink now through 2030. 4,000 cases imported. — MW – 93 Points, Wine Spectator

WINE INFORMATION

Loveblock Farm was purchased in 2004 by a couple of New Zealand winemaking fame. Kim and Erica Crawford established Kim Crawford Wines in 1996, and having great success, sold the brand in 2003 to the Canadian wine company Vincor. With the sale of the brand, they also relinquished the right to use the Crawford name on any subsequent projects – but their passion for making New Zealand wine is as strong as ever.

The Pinot Noir grapes come from our family-owned estate on the Bendigo Loop Road in Central Otago with about 10% of the fruit coming from the Loveblock Farm in the Awatere Valley.  The soil type in Bendigo Loop is free-draining sandy loam over schist alluvium gravels known as Molyneux soils, while the organic certified Loveblock Farm vineyard has predominantly aged alluvial loam soils containing some clay over stone.

The grapes were machine harvested with a destemming harvester in April in the early hours of the morning and transported to the winery. At the winery, the fruit was pumped straight to the tank, without crushing, in order to leave some whole berries. After a five-day cold soak, the must was warmed to 20°C and fermentation commenced on its own wild yeast. The ferment was hand plunged twice daily until dry when it was pressed off. The wine then underwent full malolactic fermentation in tank. After eight months of maturation, the wine was stabilized, filtered and bottled.

Charcuterie, Duck, Fish-full flavored (salmon/tuna), Ham, Pork