Kings of Pinots new releases

Posted by Joelle Thomson on

The Escarpment Vineyard and Quartz Reef are two of our favourite wine producers, both representing high points in New Zealand wine across the board, most famously for their Pinot Noirs and bubbles (Quartz Reef). This month we have tasted a bunch of delicious new wines from both wineries, thanks Vintners NZ, whose local wine guru, Ollie brought these superlative wines into store to share with us at a staff familiarisation tasting. 

 

Festive faves pack - limited edition from Quartz Reef

This festive gift pack contains one bottle of 2017 Quartz Reef Otto Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir & one bottle of 2010 Quartz Reef Late Disgorged Brut NV bubbly.

We have 4 of these special 2-packs in store now - get in fast

Buy here

2017 Quartz Reef Otto Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir $239.99

Otto Pinot Noir is made from the most eastern side of Rudi Bauer's organically certified, biodynamic Bendigo Estate Vineyard. This warm and dry site in Central Otago is planted closely with 8000 vines per hectare. All grapes hand harvested and this wine has the structure, weight and tannin ripeness to evolve well for up to a decade, potentially beyond. It also drinks well right now. 

Buy here

2018 Kiwa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir by Escarpment

Kiwa is made from one of the oldest vineyards in Martinborough and is one of the region's best Pinot Noirs. It's made from 31 year old vines on Cambridge Road in Martinborough, all hand picked, given 18 months in French oak, 40% new and the wine wears it well. 

Pale ruby with red fruit aromas, earthy appeal and approachability now but gorgeous structure and firm tannins give this wines great ageability. 

We have two bottles of the 2017 Kiwa left in store - buy it here

Footnote: The 2018 will be in store in the near future. 

 

2018 Te Rehua Single Vineyard Pinot Noir by Escarpment

Winemaker Larry McKenna is more than just a dab hand at making Martinborough Pinot Noir. He is one of the most experienced winemakers in this tiny wine region and creates a bunch of outstanding single vineyard wines, such as Te Rehua, which put Pinot's most elegant foot forward.

Te Rehua is a structured wine with power and longevity as well as elegance and approachability to drink right now. It spends 18 months in French oak barriques, 40% new, showing great balance of flavour and potential for further evolution. 

We have 6 bottles left - buy here

 

2018 Kupe by Escarpment 

Kupe is the king of the impressive range of Pinot Noirs from The Escarpment Vineyard in Martinborough and it stands head and shoulders above the other (already outstanding) wines. 

Kupe is made from one of the most densely planted vineyards on close planted rows at 1 metre by 1.5 metres close to the ground, 100% Abel clone (aka the gumboot clone) on the home block at Te Muna Road, nine kilometres east of the Martinborough village. 

It is the smallest production of all the wines. Half the fruit is dropped prior to harvest to ensure concentration of flavour and high quality.  The finished wine receives 50% new oak for 18 months in French barriques and is bottled without fining or filtration. 

"Kupe is the biggest but the softest of this bunch too," says Matt King, Regional Wines' store manager. 

 

We have 7 bottles of the 2017 Kupe left - buy here.

The 2018 Kupe will be in store in the near future.

 


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