| Score: |
98-99 JS.
"A striking wine for the many complex facets to its personality, this is the zenith of the Escarpment pinot noir collection, a wine that gathers the personalities of its siblings and adds its own layer of class and complexity to the mix. Orange blossom, ripe dark cherries and fresh-tilled earth, deep-wound, woody spices, dried plum and fresh black cherry, with some beef stock and a hint of pepper - complex and regal. The palate is textured like deep velvet, profoundly flavored and woven together with deep-seated tannins, seamless and long, with every type of cherry, blueberries, red and dark plums layered in softer, fleshy sections, building in layered waves of tannin as it goes, the acidity creeping up to illuminate the finish. Profound pinot noir - this is a triumph for not only Escarpment and Larry McKenna, but also for New Zealand pinot noir in general." James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, October 5, 2014 |