ESCARPMENT Te Rehua Single Vineyard Pinot Noir - Martinborough 2019/20 Bottle/st 13.5%abv VGN

Description

Larry McKenna founded Escarpment in 1999 and proceeded to build a phenomenal reputation as the ‘Prince of Pinot’ crafting an impressive array of highly regarded wines. He continued to work closely with Australian wine estate Torbreck, who purchased the estate in 2019, to ensure the continued success of the wines before handing over his legacy to the now head winemaker, Tim Bourne. The Te Rehua Pinot Noir is a unique single vineyard, that brings a richer fruit profile and more robust styled Pinot Noir whilst highlighting the dense tannin structure from Martinborough. This wine was grown on the Barton Vineyard, Huangarua Road, Martinborough from vines planted in the 1990’s. A combination of deep alluvial gravels from the Martinborough Terraces and an assemblage of many clones to produce a classic example of New Zealand Pinot Noir.

Bottled without fining or filtration, promoting soft mouth feel and texture. A unique site derived complexity and texture combined with black cherry and plum fruit along with tight savoury nuances of forest floor, black tea and licorice. The inclusion of stems gives the wine aromatic lift and the firm tannins are a hallmark of this block. It will continue to develop for up to 15 years and compliment roast meats, game and charcuterie. Serve at 16°C.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94+ points
:The 2020 Te Rehua Pinot Noir is energetic and lively on the nose, and this carries through to the palate. It's a luminescent wine, spicy, balanced and harmonious, with a splay of juicy acidity that electrifies the palate and the finish. There's that sumac and blood orange again, which is a nice characteristic. There's juniper and a hint of dried rosemary/thyme. Excellent. This is my pick of the 2020 single-vineyard Pinots in this vintage. There is always one that stands on the shoulders of the others, and I note gladly that the order of them changes each season. This Te Rehua was made with 49% whole bunch and was plunged twice daily. It spent 20 days on the skins, with aging in 30% new oak and the balance in one- and two-year-old barrels. It matured for 16 months with one racking during the journey, and it was bottled unfined and unfiltered." Drink Date 2023 - 2035.