Enticing aromas of red berries, goji berries, anise, dried apricot, vanilla, and spices. A medium-bodied wine with fine-grained tannins that create a silky mouthfeel. Wonderfully pure, with a striking minerality from the cool 2022 vintage.
95 POINTS
Decanter
A little shy at first, then layers of fruit (cranberry, pomegranate, red plum), earth, minerals, and spice. Good weight and silkiness on the palate with quite a firm tannin backbone and some oak spice.
Pahi Vineyard is located on Te Muna Road, next to Escarpment Vineyard. The vineyard was planted in 2003 and features the alluvial, free-draining gravel soil that has made Martinborough famous for its outstanding Pinot Noir wines.
Fermented in traditional open-top tanks with wild yeast. Punchdowns once daily with a total maceration time of 28 days. After pressing, the wine was aged in 30% new French oak barriques for 20 months. Bottled without fining or filtration, enhancing its smooth mouthfeel.
About Escarpment
Escarpment Winery focuses on producing wines with perfect balance and exquisite complexity, reflecting the unique terroir of this special part of Aotearoa.
History
An escarpment is defined as “a long, steep slope at the edge of a plateau,” which mirrors the unique landscape of Martinborough, where the winery is located. With optimal exposure to the sun’s rays in Wairarapa and ancient alluvial soils, this is a unique terroir with a distinctive natural balance, perfect for cultivating Pinot Noir. Since 1998, Escarpment Winery has been producing wines in Martinborough, focusing on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris. The wines are crafted through the collaboration of winemaker Tim Bourne and viticulturist Rowan Hoskins, both dedicated to terroir and nature in their work. Their focus is on terroir, including Martinborough’s vineyards, which are covered in alluvial gravel, contributing to wines with remarkable structure, complexity, and fruit expression.
New Zealanders hold deep respect for the land and its history. From the winery, there is a view of the Aorangi Ranges, three hills made famous by Kupe, a great Polynesian navigator who, according to Māori legend, discovered New Zealand. Kupe left his three canoes, Nga Waka, atop these hills, giving rise to the district’s well-known landmark, Nga Waka-o-Kupe—three flat-topped hills that resemble upturned canoes.
Te Muna Road, Martinborough, means “secret” or “special place” in Māori, reflecting the unique terroir that Escarpment possesses. Much like the great wines of Burgundy, Escarpment names its finest Pinot Noir wines after the vineyards where the grapes are grown. Single Vineyard Kupe, Pahi, Te Rehua, and Kiwa exemplify the estate’s philosophy, showcasing distinctive elegance and complexity.
