Reviews by James Suckling

August 2019

www.jamessuckling.com

Escarpment Chardonnay Martinborough 2017

96/100

This really delivers such impressive, reductive styling and such piercing lemon and grapefruit aromas. It can certainly play on the world stage with the best of them. The palate is succulently fresh, crisp and juicy, offering intense grapefruit pith and layered and sophisticated texture. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Escarpment Pinot Blanc Martinborough Blanc 2018

93/100

This is a very attractively fresh, gently complex and nicely concentrated pinot blanc that delivers aromas of lemons and apples with lightly flinty notes. The palate offers a wealth of succulent and zesty lemons. Some apples, too. Smooth, gently nutty finish. Drink now. Screw cap.

Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough 2017

94/100

This has a very rich, ripe and attractive feel with innate depth that arrives by means of the region, experience and methods in play here. The dark and red cherries and plums are beautifully fresh and vibrant and framed in earthy, sappy notes that add complexity. The palate is intense yet plush. The rich dark cherries are cleverly captured and wrapped in reassuringly long, smooth tannins. Lots to like here! Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Te Rehua 2017

96/100

Attractive blue fruit, violets and forest-floor earthiness make for an appealing and complex pinot with a soulful attitude. The palate has a very succulent and rich feel with a driving array of ripe and fleshy dark plums and berries, as well as a very plump, juicy core. So much pinot here! Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Kiwa 2017

96/100

Very attractive perfume, spice and earthy depth here, as well as vibrant, red-cherry and berry aromas. There’s very attractive tautness to this pinot with crisp tannins that define ripe red cherries and red plums in assertive and succulent style. The refined power is striking. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough Kupe 2017

98/100

This pinot has an x-factor that sets it apart. There’s an almost peppery edge to the violet, blueberry and red-cherry nose with sappy and earthy elements, as well as roasted game and fragrant baking spices. The palate has a very plush, attractive and fresh array of vibrant and detailed pinot fruit on offer. Long and precise. Drink or hold. Screw cap.