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The wines

To help you enjoy our wines at their best please refer to our Vintage Chart

Escarpment

Escarpment Pinot Noir 2008 Alcohol by volume: 13.4% Total acid: 5.7g/L pH: 3.48 Residual sugar: <1g/L Total dry extract: 28.9g/L buy »

Perfume, elegant fruit flavours, and soft ripe tannins are all hallmarks of this exceptional Pinot Noir. Perfect weather in Martinborough during flowering in December 2007 resulted in an ideal crop. A normal warm dry summer followed creating the distinctive Escarpment style showing complexity, attractive texture and the perfect mix of black, red and green fruit flavours for which Pinot Noir is celebrated.

The fruit was hand harvested, then gently handled without pumping until it was pressed. Hand plunged every 8 hours then left to macerate on skins for an average vat time of 18 days. It has been aged completely in French oak barriques, of which 30% were new, for 11 months.

Inspired by the classic wines of Burgundy, this Pinot noir is a tribute to Martinborough’s unique terroir. It will cellar gracefully for up to 10 years.

Escarpment Chardonnay 2008 Alcohol by volume: 13.2% Total acid: 6.7g/L pH: 3.20 Residual sugar: 3g/L Total dry extract: 23.7g/L buy »

100% grown from Escarpment’s Te Muna Road site in what can be considered a remarkable year for the variety. The season allowed fruit to ripen wonderfully, producing powerful opulent flavours and a flinty mineral backbone which combine beautifully with barrel fermentation to create Burgundian inspired Chardonnay. Flavours are reminiscent of white stone fruit with delightful soft texture ensuring a long commanding finish. Complete malolactic fermentation and lees stirring has enhanced the texture, complexity and mouth feel allowing it to match most entrée dishes and kaimoana. It is an accurate reflection of Martinborough’s unique terroir. Cellar for up to five years or more, successfully.

Escarpment Pinot Gris 2008 Alcohol by volume: 13.8% Total acid: 5.1g/L pH: 3.38 Residual sugar: <6.9g/L Total dry extract: 26.8g/L buy »

Grown on the alluvial gravel soils of the Martinborough Terrace during a perfect growing season for the district. A warm dry summer allowed fruit to ripen wonderfully producing powerful opulent fruit combining beautifully with barrel fermentation to create Burgundian inspired Pinot Gris. Flavours are reminiscent of ripe pears and white stone fruit with delightful soft texture ensuring a long commanding finish. 7 grams residual sugar has enhanced the fruit flavours Pinot Gris is renowned for. Complete malolactic fermentation and lees stirring has enhanced the texture and mouth feel allowing it to match most entrée dishes.

A great alternative to Chardonnay it has been inspired by the classical French approach to the variety. It is an accurate reflection of Martinborough’s unique terrior. Cellar for up to five years or more, successfully.

Escarpment Riesling 2007 Alcohol by volume: 12% Total acid: 8.8g/L pH: 2.84 Residual sugar: 15g/L Total dry extract: 23g/L buy »

These grapes were 100% grown from Escarpment’s Te Muna Road site in what can be considered a remarkable year for the variety. The wine exhibits the typical fine floral fruit characters and racy acid the variety is renowned for. An off-dry style (15 g/L sugar) has been created to ideally be enjoyed as an aperitif for something to liven up the taste buds. With such good acid/pH balance it appears on the palate more in a dry style.

It is a true reflection of Martinborough's distinctive terrior. Cellar for up to five years successfully.

Escarpment Pinot Blanc 2009 Alcohol by volume: 13.8% Total acid: 7.4g/L pH: 2.93 Residual sugar: 5g/L Total dry extract: 23g/L buy »

The Kaiserstuhl district of Germany prizes Pinot Blanc for its spicy subtle fruit flavours and its ability to truly reflect its terroir. Escarpment Vineyard is excited to be able to release the first Pinot Blanc from its Te Muna Road Vineyard. We believe our site ideally suits Pinot Noir so feel a classic Pinot Blanc will result as well. An off dry style (5gms/L sugar) will certainly create some interesting wine/food pairings. Enjoy while young but this wine will age gracefully for a number of years.

Escarpment Hinemoa Riesling 375ml 2009 Alcohol by volume: 9.2% Total acid: 7.3g/L pH: 3.05 Residual sugar: 120g/L Total dry extract: 31g/L buy »

100% grown from our Te Muna Road site in what can be considered a remarkable year for the variety.

A very sweet style (120g/L sugar) has been created from individual bunch selected grapes. They were carefully skin contacted for 24 hours then gently pressed to yield the precious high sugar must. Using the German classification this wine would be Beerenauslese quality. An ideal match with fruit based desserts, soft cheeses or enjoy as an aperitif for something to liven up your taste buds.

It is a true reflection of Martinborough's distinctive terroir. Cellar for up to five years successfully.

The Edge

The Edge Pinot Noir 2009 Alcohol by volume: 14.5% Total acid: 5.2g/L pH: 3.51 Residual sugar: 4g/L Total dry extract: 35.2g/L buy »

100% Martinborough Pinot Noir, grown on the alluvial gravel terraces for which the district has become famous.

The season was exceptionally warm allowing high quality, fully ripe fruit to be harvested early with brilliant ripe cherry/plum flavours. A full-bodied style with great backbone and a long lingering finish. An immediately accessible wine, which will improve over the next 2 years. Enjoy with full flavoured fish dishes, lamb or vegetarian dishes.

The Edge Pinot Gris 2008 Alcohol by volume: 13% Total acid: 6.4g/L pH: 2.95 Residual sugar: 7.4g/L Total dry extract: 26.8g/L buy »

100% Martinborough Pinot Gris, grown on the alluvial gravel terraces for which the district has become famous.

The season was exceptionally warm allowing high quality fruit to be harvested early with brilliant perfumed fruit flavours. The style is off dry (7gms/L residual sugar) with a soft ripe backbone and long lingering finish. Currently the wine shows the pear/white stone fruit flavours this variety is renowned for. This wine will make a great aperitif or combine beautifully with light fish or pasta dishes. Enjoy over the next two years.

The Edge Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Alcohol by volume: 14.2% Total acid: 7.7g/L pH: 2.99 Residual sugar: 6g/L Total dry extract: 21g/L buy »

Grown on the distinctive Martinborough Terrace soil type, a rich, dry, full bodied style has been created from a classic year for the district. Ideal summer and autumn weather has allowed very ripe fruit to be harvested in wonderful condition.

This wine shows all the characters of NZ Sauvignon Blanc but in a slightly riper mould which is expressed as softer ripe peach flavours combined with the typical herbal, gooseberry current tastes and aromas. Enjoy while it's young and fresh as an aperitif or with shellfish perhaps combined with a green garden salad.

The Edge Chardonnay 2009 Alcohol by volume: 14% Total acid: 7.3g/L pH: 3.22 Residual sugar: <1g/L Total dry extract: 24g/L buy »

Ripe fruit from our Te Muna Road site in Martinborough has been selected for this appealing dry wine which will suit everyday drinking. A great summer and autumn has ensured quality fruit with excellent balance and flavour. The grapes were gently whole bunched pressed then tank fermented with full solids and indigenous yeast to create a traditional un-wooded style. This wine will age gracefully but would ideally be enjoyed within two years of vintage. A great wine with any kaimoana or lightly flavoured entrée.

Martinborough Single Vineyards, Insight Series

Kupe Pinot Noir 2008 Alcohol by volume: 12.9% Total acid: 5.7g/L pH: 3.43 Residual sugar: <1g/L Total dry extract: 27.4g/L sold out

The Escarpment “Insight Series” allows individual vineyard expression from exceptional sites within the Martinborough Geographic Indication. The vines which have grown this wine have been our pride and joy since being planted in 1999.

This is the fourth release from The Escarpment Vineyard’s close planted vineyard on Te Muna Road, Martinborough. The spacing of 1.5m x 1m (6,700 vines/ha) is approaching the planting densities used in Burgundy from where the inspiration for this wine comes. Fermented in wooden French cuvees, hand plunged and aged in 50% new french oak barriques the wine was given every priority during its elevation and now shows all the hallmarks of a grand young wine on its release in 2010.

The season was exemplary in Martinborough with a warmer than average, dry summer allowing perfectly ripe fruit to be harvested in April 2008. It is at the vanguard of Pinot Noir style in the New World and should age gracefully for up to 10 years.

The wine is a true reflection of both Martinborough’s unique terrior and the skills and experience of winemaker Larry McKenna.

Kupe Chardonnay 2008 Alcohol by volume: 13.1% Total acid: 6.4g/L pH: 3.21 Residual sugar: 1.6g/L Total dry extract: 21.4g/L sold out

The Escarpment “Insight Series” allows individual vineyard expression from exceptional sites within the Martinborough Geographic Indication. The partners of Escarpment Vineyard are proud to release the second vintage of our Kupe Chardonnay. The season has given us perfectly ripe fruit grown on the Martinborough Terrace’s free draining alluvial gravels. It was barrel fermented in 30% new oak and aged on fermentation lees for 12 months before being bottled in April 2009.

Showing ripe but restrained fruit, intelligent use of oak and a flinty mineral backbone it is at the pinnacle of the style in New Zealand. It will age gracefully for up to 10 years and compliment most kaimoana or entrée dishes.

Te Rehua Pinot Noir 2008 Alcohol by volume: 13.6% Total acid: 5.6g/L pH: 3.52 Residual sugar: <1g/L Total dry extract: 27.1g/L sold out

The Escarpment “Insight Series” allows individual vineyard expression from exceptional sites within the Martinborough Geographic Indication. 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 cuves, hand plunged every 8 hours, with a total vat time of 18 days. After pressing it was matured in 30% new french oak barriques for 12 months. It was fined using a minimum of egg whites to protect the flavours but aid brightness in the glass, 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.

Kiwa Pinot Noir 2008 Alcohol by volume: 13.9% Total acid: 5.6g/L pH: 3.61 Residual sugar: <1g/L Total dry extract: 30.2g/L sold out

The Escarpment “Insight Series” allows individual vineyard expression from exceptional sites within the Martinborough Geographic Indication. This wine was grown on the Cleland Vineyard Cambridge Street, Martinborough from 27 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 always rewards us with savoury, complex and spicy wine.

It was open topped fermented in traditional wooded cuves, hand plunged every 8 hours, with a total vat time of 16 days. After pressing it was matured in 30% new French oak barriques for 12 months. It was fined using a minimum of egg whites to protect the flavours but aid brightness in the glass, promoting soft mouth feel and texture.

This is an outstanding example of classic Pinot Noir. It will continue to develop for up to 10 years and will always be a wonderful counterpart to any game food.

Pahi Pinot Noir 2008 Alcohol by volume: 13.4% Total acid: 5.2g/L pH: 3.60 Residual sugar: <1g/L Total dry extract: 27.1g/L sold out

The Escarpment “Insight Series” allows individual vineyard expression from exceptional sites within the Martinborough Geographic Indication. This wine was grown on the McCreanor Vineyard Princess Street, Martinborough from 27 year old vines. A combination of slightly heavier soils and a single clone, 10/5 on own roots, always rewards us with this particular style; soft, ripe, pure fruit expressions in an exceedingly New World Pinot Noir.

It was open topped fermented in traditional wooded cuves, hand plunged every 8 hours, with a total vat time of 20 days. After pressing it was matured in 30% new French oak barriques for 12 months. It was fined using a minimum of egg whites to protect the flavours but aid brightness in the glass, promoting soft mouth feel and texture.

It will continue to develop for up to 15 years and will always be a wonderful counterpart to any game food.

Heathcote Estate Robert and Mem Kirby of Escarpment are also joint venture partners in Heathcote Estate (Australia). To order Heathcote Estate wine please visit www.heathcoteestate.com - your delivery will be made from wine cellared in New Zealand.

Yabby Lake Robert and Mem Kirby of Escarpment also own Yabby Lake (Australia). To order Yabby Lake wine please visit www.yabbylake.com - your delivery will be made from wine cellared in New Zealand.