Escarpment Kiwa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Martinborough New Zealand 2018
(Wine Advocate Score 91) The 2018 Kiwa Pinot Noir is a blend of Pommard clones originally sourced via University of California, Davis. Like other recent vintages, there's a notable whole-bunch component, which comes through on the nose when the wines are young. Beyond that, there's some black cherries and a stolid earthy character, ample weight and concentration and a long, dusty-tannic finish. This should easily age up to a decade, even if it lacks the flair of its single-vineyard stablemates.
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.
| Winery | Escarpment |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | North Island (NZ) |
| Specific Appellation | Martinborough |
| Wine Type | Red Wine |
| Grape variety | Pinot Noir |
| Bottle Size | Bottle |
| Vintage | 2018 |
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Escarpment's aim is simple: to continually produce the very best of tomorrow's definitive New World wines.
Situated just 5 kilometres east of Martinborough village, Escarpment’s 24 hectares of distinctive alluvial gravel, terraced land stretches out along the banks of the Huangarua River.
Overlooking the vineyard are the Aorangi Ranges, the very hills made famous by Kupe the great Polynesian voyager who discovered New Zealand, according to Maori legend. Kupe left his three canoes, Nga Waka, on top of the range, giving rise to the now familiar landmark of the district, the “Nga Waka-o-Kupe” or three flat-topped hills on top of the range, which resemble unturned canoes.
Under Winemaker Larry McKennas leadership since Escarpment’s inception in 1999, the Escarpment team aims to reward wine lovers with progressive and suggestive wines that encourage them to venture to the edge of wine loving and appreciation.
