Escarpment Pinot Noir 2019

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant it. Established in 1999 in New Zealand's Martinborough region, Escarpment winery is famous for the high quality of its Pinot Noir wines, and in particular for its flagship wine Kupe, widely regarded as a benchmark for that variety in New Zealand. The company also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and Riesling. The vineyards extend over 24 hectares east of Martinborough village on gravelly soils typical of the Martinborough Terrace, an alluvial gravel plateau. The company obtained organic certification for its vineyards in 2019. Winemaker Larry McKenna, nicknamed Prince of Pinot Noir is considered one of the pioneers in the Martinborough region. The Escarpment Pinot Noir is the winery's entry level wine, but it has all the characteristics of an exceptional Pinot Noir. It is full-bodied, powerful but mineral, complex, and harmonious. The nose reveals intense aromas of cherries and plums, accompanied by sweet spices such as cinnamon, anise and ginger with some earthy nuances. This complexity is also evident on the palate which is fruity and mineral, with woody notes of cedar and tobacco. It is a soft wine, with surprising character and purity, ready to drink now and to pair with game, beef bourguignon, or beef fillet with porcini mushrooms.