Escarpment Pinot Blanc 09

Escarpment Vineyard Martinborough Pinot Blanc 2009 (18.0+/20), at 13.8% alc, 5 g/l rs from Te Muna Road fruit. Brlliant pale straw colour, this had an elegant bouquet, still fresh and firm from youth, showing white stonefruits and a savoury pithy note. Dry, crisp and minerally on palate, this was youthfully presented with good body and fresh acidity in good balance. Still to show its best.  RC Apr 10

This is the first release of a varietal Pinot Blanc under the Escarpment Vineyard label, the earlier yields from Larry and Sue McKenna’s Te Muna Road site being bottled under a blended label. The fruit for this 2009 wine was fermented to 13.8% alc and 5 g/l rs. An even pale straw yellow in colour, this has a fresh, full bouquet of ripe stonefruits along with hints of tropical fruits, nuts and spices. The palate is dry, but this has a sweet lusciousness. Larry has built in good body and the proper extraction level for excellent mouthfeel, and while the wine is not robust, it is substantial, and will put on more depth and flavour interest with it. Pinot Blanc at its most flavoursome can be reminiscent of Chardonnay and this wine certainly does that with its intriguing, subtle oak and malo-like nuances. Larry assures us there was no oak contact nor any MLF in the winemaking to ensure maximum freshness.  RC March 10

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