Jules Taylor Pinot Noir

Jules Taylor Pinot Noir is a Marlborough, New Zealand Pinot Noir fermented with wild yeasts and aged in French oak, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml format. The 2020 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Spectator, and more recently The Real Review awarded it 92.2 points, ranking it among the top Marlborough Pinot Noirs in their 2023 assessment.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Southern Valleys, Marlborough, New Zealand  |  100% Pinot Noir  |  Winery: Jules Taylor Wines

Production & Heritage

Jules Taylor Wines is a Marlborough-based producer founded by winemaker Jules Taylor, drawing fruit from the Southern Valleys sub-region of Marlborough on New Zealand's South Island. The Pinot Noir grapes are hand-harvested and de-stemmed into small open-top fermenters, where they undergo a 5–10 day cold soak with a small percentage of whole bunches included—a deliberate technique designed to accentuate delicate perfumed aromas and bright colour in the finished wine. Fermentation proceeds with indigenous wild yeasts, the cap is managed by hand plunging, and the wine is then pressed into French oak barrels where it completes full malolactic fermentation before bottling.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with intense ripe cherry and boysenberry, followed by darker tones of chocolate and a subtle earthy spiciness. A thread of Pinot-specific herbaceousness weaves through, lending aromatic complexity.

Taste: On entry, juicy boysenberry and wild raspberry flavours fill the palate with bright, tangy acidity keeping everything lively. The mid-palate broadens into ripe cherry, plum, and baking spice notes, carried by a medium-bodied yet weighty texture. Loads of supple, fine-grained tannins provide structure without grip, and a herbal edge gives the wine real drive across the palate.

Finish: The finish is long and spicy, with lingering dark chocolate and cranberry. It tapers cleanly, leaving a balanced impression of fruit purity and oak influence.

How to Drink Jules Taylor Pinot Noir

This Pinot Noir is appealing neat at a slight chill—around 14–16°C—where its aromatic lift and bright acidity come into full focus. It also works well as a versatile red in lighter cocktail and wine-based drink formats. A Pinot Noir Sangria built with fresh berries and citrus plays to the wine's fruit-forward character. A classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) benefits from the wine's tangy acidity and cherry intensity. And a simple Red Wine Spritzer with sparkling water and a twist of orange peel highlights the wine's crispness and herbal lift.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where you want something expressive without being heavy
• Introducing someone to New Zealand Pinot Noir for the first time
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Southern Hemisphere reds
• Pairing with a charcuterie board or holiday roast

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Jules Taylor Pinot Noir taste like? It delivers juicy boysenberry and cherry flavours with dark chocolate undertones, supported by fine tannins and tangy acidity. The overall impression is smooth, medium-bodied, and spice-driven with a long finish.

How does Jules Taylor Pinot Noir compare to Spy Valley Pinot Noir? Both wines are sourced from Marlborough's Southern Valleys sub-region and sit at a similar price tier, making them natural comparisons. Jules Taylor leans into wild-yeast fermentation and whole-bunch cold soaking for aromatic complexity, while Spy Valley tends toward a slightly more fruit-concentrated, plush style.

Is Jules Taylor Pinot Noir good for sipping neat? Yes—its balanced acidity, supple tannins, and layered aromatics make it an inviting standalone glass. Serving slightly below room temperature brings out its perfumed cherry and spice character.

Where is Jules Taylor Pinot Noir made? It is produced by Jules Taylor Wines in Marlborough, on the South Island of New Zealand. The fruit is sourced specifically from the Southern Valleys, a sub-region known for producing concentrated, aromatic Pinot Noir.

What foods pair well with Jules Taylor Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast works beautifully, as the wine's cherry fruit and fine tannins mirror the richness of the meat. Grilled salmon benefits from the bright acidity. Mushroom risotto echoes the earthy undertones. A semi-firm cheese like Gruyère complements the baking-spice notes, and dark chocolate desserts align with the wine's cocoa-tinged finish.

What sizes does Jules Taylor Pinot Noir come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Jules Taylor Pinot Noir worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Marlborough Pinot Noir that consistently punches above its weight in critical assessments, with scores of 90 points from Wine Spectator and 92.2 from The Real Review. For a wild-yeast, French oak–aged Pinot at this tier, it represents strong value.

Why Jules Taylor Pinot Noir?

The defining production detail here is the inclusion of whole bunches during an extended cold soak—a step that builds aromatic depth and colour intensity before fermentation even begins. Paired with wild-yeast fermentation and French oak ageing, this creates a wine with more textural complexity and perfumed lift than many Marlborough Pinot Noirs at the same price point. A 90-point Wine Spectator score and a 92.2-point rating from The Real Review back up the quality with third-party credibility. For anyone exploring New Zealand Pinot Noir beyond Central Otago, this Southern Valleys bottling makes a compelling case for Marlborough's depth in the variety.