2020 Escarpment Kiwa Pinot Noir

Brand	Escarpment Vineyard
Region	Martinborough
Varietal	Pinot Noir
Size	750ml
Alcohol %	14.0%
Vintage	2020
Country	New Zealand

Another of the outstanding ‘Insight Series’ Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs that Larry McKenna and now Tim Bourne has nurtured… their vision, like the great vineyards of Burgundy, to craft wines that genuinely express their place. Kiwa was grown on the Cleland Vineyard on Cambridge Road, Martinborough from 30-year-old+ vines. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of Clones UCD 5, 6 and 13 consistently delivers savoury, complex, spicy wine. In the case of ‘Kiwa’… it was open top fermented using indigenous yeasts in traditional wooden cuvees, hand plunged every 12 hours, with a total vat time of 23 days. After pressing, it was matured in 40% new French oak barriques for 18 months, perfect to allow the delicacy and brightness of the Cleland vineyard fruit to shine. This 2020 is an outstanding, collectable NZ single-vineyard Pinot Noir from a strong Martinborough… age-worthy and likely at its best through 2026-2032.

Beautifully sweet, dried herbs underpin aromas of field mushrooms, florals, and ripe red fruits. The complexity of aromas is a preview to the impressive palate.

Stunning concentration of savoury and ripe cherry flavours are complemented by the complex herb and earthy tones that charmed you aromatically. The tannins are fine and balanced with the gentle acidity and sophisticated French oak influence. This is pure, elegant, and impressively complex Pinot Noir with a lingering, memorable finish. Best cellared until at least 2026.