Kupé Pinot Noir 2022

The Escarpment Kupé Pinot Noir is a singular expression of Burgundy's king grape, grown on the stony terraces of Martinborough, in the far south of New Zealand's North Island. The Te Muna Road vineyard, planted in 1999, lies on deep, well-drained ancient alluvial gravels which, combined with the temperate oceanic climate and warm but cool nights, allow for slow and steady ripening of the Pinot Noir. These natural conditions favor aromatic concentration and an elegant structure, giving this cuvée a character truly identified with its terroir.

The vinification of this Pinot Noir is carried out with meticulous care to preserve the purity of the fruit. The 100% Pinot Noir grapes from the Kupé block are picked at full ripeness, gently destemmed, then fermented in open vats with indigenous yeasts. The wine remains in contact with the skins for approximately 30 days, with daily manual punch-downs to refine the extraction, before pressing. Aging takes place in French oak barrels, a significant proportion of which are new, for nearly 20 months without racking, then bottling is done without fining or filtration, favoring texture and finesse.

This wine reveals notes of raspberry, black cherry, rose and bitter orange, enhanced by spicy touches of cedar, sandalwood, graphite and dried herbs, offering a complex and nuanced aromatic palette. On the palate, the texture is ample but not heavy, the tannins are fine and silky, supporting a vibrant freshness that prolongs the finish. The sensation is both structured and delicate, with remarkable persistence that invites contemplation and gastronomic pairing.

Introduced in 1819, viticulture was greatly developed by Jean-Baptiste Pompallier, a French Marist missionary. Sent to Oceania in 1837, he settled there in January 1838 to develop New Zealand's vineyards. The first quality vineyards were established in the Hawke's Bay region during the 19th and early 20th centuries. After production setbacks initially caused by phylloxera and then the First World War, the vineyards began to expand again during the Second World War, doubling in size. Today, New Zealand has 10 major wine regions spread across the North and South Islands, the largest of which is Marlborough. Most of New Zealand's wine regions have a maritime climate. The country's long, narrow shape means that vineyards are never more than 120 km from the coast, and most are even much closer (with the exception of the semi-continental region of Central Otago). A mountain spine running through the center of the country protects most of the major wine regions from the strong westerly winds from the Tasman Sea known as the "Roaring Forties." Because of these winds, there are few wine regions on New Zealand's west coast. The quality and reputation of New Zealand wines are well established. Indeed, the country produces some of the best and most renowned Sauvignon Blanc in the world. And it's no coincidence that New Zealand has managed to make Sauvignon Blanc its symbol, alongside its sheep, kiwifruit, and the legendary haka!