Escarpment Pinot Noir Kupe Single Vineyard Martinborough 2019 750 ML

Aromas of strawberries, black cherries and some white pepper follow through to a full body with a creamy texture and a dried-orange aftertaste. A little tight at the finish, but shows energy and focus.n n Producer Informationn n Escarpment is a wine estate that was established in 1999 in the New Zealand region of Martinborough. It is known for its powerful and complex Pinot Noir wines, and particularly its flagship wine Kupe. The latter is widely regarded as a benchmark for that variety in New Zealand. The portfolio also features wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The winery and two key vineyards are situated 5 kilometers (3 miles) east of Martinborough village, on the Te Muna Road on alluvial loams over deep gravels. Te Muna means secret or special place in the Maori language. The estate gained organic certification for its vineyards in 2019. There are four single-vineyard Pinot Noir wines: Kupe, Kiwa, Pahi and Te Rehua. The Kupe wine is made from the best fruit from the Te Muna Road property (aka the Escarpment Vineyard). Kupe was the Polynesian explorer who in legend is said to have discoved Aotearoa (New Zealand). Pahi is a single site adjacent to the Escarpment Vineyard on Te Muna Road, planted in 2003. The 2-ha (5-acre) Kiwa vineyard is nearer the town and is known for producing ripe wines with black fruit and savory notes. Te Rehua is the smallest plot of the four at just 1.1ha (2.7 acres), and is situated on alluvial loams on the edge of the escarpment formed by the Huangarua River. A further Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay represent the core Escarpment bottlings. The Te Muna vineyard is also the main source for these, though some fruit from other Martinborough growers is used. The Varietal Pinot range is a newer addition. It comprises a Pinot Noir, Pinot Rosé, Pinot Blanc and a Pinot Gris. There is also an entry-level Pinot Noir called The Edge.