2003 Escarpment Pinot Noir

Escarpment is just east of the village of Martinborough and its 60 vineyard acres stretch along the banks of the Huangarua River. The estate was started in 1998 by Robert and Mem Kirby, and Larry and Sue McKenna. The two couples shared a passion for Pinot Noir, and Larry McKenna is a career winemaker noted for his talent with Pinot Noir. In fact, in New Zealand he is known as the king of Pinot Noir. From 1986 to 1999 Larry McKenna was CEO and winemaker at Martinborough Vineyard in the Wairarapa region. At Escarpment McKenna is winemaker and vineyard manager. The estate makes three series of wines, and some of the wines are named for the heroes of Maori legends. One such hero is Kupe, a Polynesian voyager who, according to Maori legend, discovered New Zealand.

Wairarapa is on the south end of New Zealand’s north island, and it is the country’s most exciting Pinot Noir region. Martinborough is the very small town that serves as the South Wairarapa region’s commercial center, and the district is home to more than 60 wineries, many of them specializing in Pinot Noir, and, more recently Pinot Gris. A mountain range between Wellington, to the west, and Wairarapa keeps the region’s vineyards temperate, with relatively dry falls that are optimal for Pinot Noir harvesting. The region also has the greatest variation between average daytime and average night temperatures, also a boon to grape growing and especially Pinot Noir. Sauvignon Blanc is also grown. ?

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.