ESCARPMENT KIWA PINOT NOIR 2018

Winery notes (2018 Vintage)
"This wine was grown on the Cleland Vineyard Cambridge Road, Martinborough from 31 year old vines. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for, and a blend of Clones UCD 5 and 6 always rewards us with savoury, complex, spicy wine.

It was open top fermented using indigenous yeast in traditional wooden cuvees, hand plunged every 12 hours, with a total vat time of 21 days. After pressing it was matured in 40% new French oak barriques for 18 months. It was fined to protect the flavours and aid brightness in the glass. Bottled without filtration, promoting soft mouth feel and texture.

This is an outstanding example of classic Pinot Noir. It will continue to develop for up to 10 years and will always be a wonderful counterpart to any game food."

93/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2018 Vintage)
"Single vineyard pinot noir with plum, cherry, dried herb, five spice and nutty oak flavours. Still youthful with plenty of potential, although it can be appreciated now. Quite a rich and warming wine"

Reviews for the 2017 vintage below…

5 Stars & 96/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, April 2019 (2017 Vintage)
"A compelling pinot with a strong emphasis on dark spice and savoury notes, together with sweet cherries, dried herbs and toasted almonds. It is concentrated and brilliantly focused on the palate with refined texture and silky mouthfeel, firmly structured by loads of grainy tannins. Seductive and gratifying. At its best: 2020 to 2027."

95/100 & #43 Top 100 Wines of 2019, Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast (2017 Vintage)
"From 30-year-old vines in deep alluvial gravels, this is a spicy and pristine wine that's approachable now but is also very cellar worthy. A heady perfume of blueberries, pomegranates, tobacco leaves, scrubby Mediterranean herbs, florals and crushed stones kicks it all off. Then the palate takes it all to another level, bursting with crunchy, juicy fruit, crystalline-like minerality and savoury spices, all threaded together with structured ultra fine tannins. Drink now–2029."

92/100 Rebecca Gibb, May 2019 (2017 Vintage)
"This got picked 1/2 baume earlier than it would have been due to the threat of an imminent cyclone. This is a spicy example of Kiwa, very savoury, overlaid with violets and cherry. A light bodied style with plenty of chalky tannins and firm acidity, leaving a taut finish."