Escarpment Chardonnay
$40.00
This vintage is currently sold out.
Sourced primarily from Escarpment's home block on Te Muna Road on the Martinborough terraces. A Chardonnay of distinction and complexity with striking minerality and a typical varietal character reminiscent of its terroir and winemaking philosophy.
CURRENT VINTAGE: 2021 Escarpment Chardonnay
2021 in Martinborough was a small yet exceptional vintage, an accurate reflection of the district’s unique terroir.
Warm days and cool nights through the later growing season allowed for full ripeness, producing an opulent Chardonnay with a flinty mineral backbone. Fermentation in French oak puncheons (20% new) enhances its textural mouthfeel. Malolactic fermentation was bypassed to maintain a delectably crisp natural acidity. After 11 months in oak it saw a further 4 months in stainless steel prior to bottling.
Complex citrus and stone fruit notes of grapefruit and nectarine balanced by tertiary aromas of lifted spiced ginger and hazelnut, with a gunflint minerality. The palate shows great cleansing acidity and a warm mouthfeel yet retaining and edgy focus of line and length. A perfect match to shellfish and seafood entrées, and roasted poultry dishes.
Escarpment Martinborough Chardonnay will age gracefully over the next few years, but is immediately accessible as a young wine.
Wine Analysis
2021 Chardonnay
- Alcohol by volume: 12.9%
- Total acid: 7.0g/l
- pH: 3.24
- Residual sugar: <1g/l
- Total dry extract: 23.1g/l
- Closure: Stelvin screw cap
Tasting Notes
Escarpment 2021 Chardonnay Tasting Note
Escarpment 2020 Chardonnay Tasting Note
Escarpment 2019 Chardonnay Tasting Note
Escarpment 2018 Chardonnay Tasting Note
Escarpment 2017 Chardonnay Tasting Note
Accolades
95 Points: 2020 Vintage - The Real Review | March 2022
95 Points: 2020 Vintage - Cam Douglas | December 2021
94 Points: 2020 Vintage - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit | August 2021
95 Points: 2020 Vintage - Raymond Chan Wine Reviews | August 2021
92 Points: 2019 Vintage - Jo Czerwinski | June 2021
92 Points: 2018 Vintage - Bob Campbell | February 2020
96 Points: 2017 Vintage - James Suckling | August 2019
Read more about Escarpment Wine Reviews here
Food Pairings
Food pairing options include seafood dishes and white meat entrees. Cheese at the end of a meal paired with Chardonnay is an exciting unexpected pleasure.
