North Sydney Cellars

Escarpment is the special project of Australian Larry McKenna, who pioneered high quality pinot noir in New Zealand during his days as winemaker at the famous Martinborough Vineyards winery. Larry is also behind the quality and success of Yabby Lake in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula region.

 

This is the third release from The Escarpment Vineyard’s close planted vineyard on Te Muna Road, Martinborough. The spacing of 1.5m x 1m (6,600 vines/ha) is approaching the planting densities used in Burgundy from where the inspiration for this wine comes. Fermented in new wooden French cuvees, hand plunged and aged in 50% new French oak barriques the wine was given every priority during its elevation and now shows all the hallmarks of a grand young wine on release in 2007. The season was exemplary for this block creating fruit harvested in brilliant condition in May 2006. It is at the vanguard of Pinot noir style in the New World and should age gracefully for up to 10 years.

 

The wine is a true reflection of both Martinborough’s unique terroir and the skills and experience of winemaker Larry McKenna.