Escarpment Kupe Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Martinborough 2023

Kupe is made entirely from Escarpment's home block first planted in 1999 on Te Muna Road. The alluvial gravels on the Martinborough Terrace provide a distinctive character that sets a benchmark for New Zealand Pinot Noir.

94 Points – James Suckling review

A thoroughly beautiful pinot with fresh aromas of strawberries and sliced oranges that are balanced and pure. Medium-bodied with integrated tannins and a clear and bright finish. Cantaloupe and flint undertones. Made from pure Abel clone and fermented with 30% whole clusters.

95 Points Cameron Douglas MS

This wine is outstanding. Aromas and flavours of ripe red berries, red apple skin, earth and wood spices, a wine packed with texture led by acidity and tannins, then a sense of site from the dark clay mineral ideas. Dry on the palate with a medium- weight, a backbone of acidity and forceful tannins with coarse-silk through polished mouthfeel. Delicious, lengthy and well made. Best drinking from day of purchase if decanted, otherwise from 2029 through 2033+.

96 Points Huon Hooke, The Real Review

Deep-ish red-purple colour and a bouquet that is reserved and shows dominant oak at this tender age. It's full bodied and very firm, with big structure and grip, bright acidity and firmly gripping tannins, also major intensity and concentration of flavour. There is a wow factor here. This is a pinot noir built to age and it demands patience. It can be approached now but I wouldn't dream of touching it for some considerable time. Impressive stuff. 2028–2041

History of The Escarpment Vineyard

Larry McKenna was one of the first winemakers in Martinborough and has had a pivotal role in pioneering Pinot Noir in New Zealand. He was born and bred in Australia and began winemaking in the Wairarapa region at Martinborough Vineyards in the early days of modern New Zealand wine. In 1999 he founded The Escarpment Vineyard on Te Muna Road, a dramatically beautiful valley which is nine kilometres east of the Martinborough township. 

The Escarpment Vineyard was purchased by Torbreck Wines in South Australia in 2018 and Larry remains at the helm with winemaker Tim Bourne.