WINE WAREHOUSE® Escarpment Pinot Noir – 6058119725215

Notes from the Winemaker:

This wine was grown on the Barton Vineyard, Huangarua Road, Martinborough from vines over 22 years old. A combination of deep alluvial gravels which the Martinborough Terraces are renowned for and a blend of many clones grown in a very sheltered spot always rewards us with a classic example of New World Pinot Noir. It was open topped fermented in traditional wooded cuvees, hand plunged every 12 hours, with a total vat time of 18 days. After pressing it was matured in 40% new French oak barriques for 18 months. It was bottled without fining or filtration, promoting soft mouth feel and texture. It has a unique site derived complexity combined with black cherry/plum fruit flavours.

It will continue to develop for up to 10 years and will always be a wonderful counterpart to any game food.

Alcohol by volume: 13%
Total acid: 5.1g/l
pH: 3.54
Residual sugar: <1g/l
Total dry extract: 28.5 g/L

97 Points – James Suckling:
“The most brooding of the Escarpment pinot noirs, this has a dark, mineral nose with graphite and slate, building to earth-crusted herbs, toasted nuts, dark chocolate, glacé orange peel, wet earth and crushed violets. The complexity is deeply integrated. On the palate there’s striking clarity and focus, and the tannins are fine-tuned, super-smooth and rippling with energy. They drive long, smooth, clear, while dark-cherry and plum fruit flavors run alongside and wash up through the finish. A classic rendition of pinot in the iron-fist-and-velvet-glove style. Drink in 2019.” (Oct. 2014)

93 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate:
“Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2013 Te Rehua Pinot Noir has a pretty floral scented nose of violets and roses over a core of Bing cherries, cranberries and pomegranate. Medium-bodied, it offers a delicately flavored palate of red berries and subtle earth inflections supported by finely grained tannins and balanced acid, finishing with some minerals.” – Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Jan 2015)

92 Points – Wine Enthusiast:
“Veteran winemaker Larry McKenna says Te Rehua consistently shows the most ripeness of his various single-vineyard wines. In this vintage, that comes across as a slightly jammy midpalate filled with plums and blackberries. Upfront, there’s a floral element, and on the finish, some dusty tannins. Try it once 2016 rolls around, and drink it through 2025.” – JC (Sep 1, 2015)