92 points,"Escarpment's blended 2015 Pinot Noir represents a solid introduction to the style of founder Larry McKenna. It's earthy and savoury but with a deep core of black cherry fruit. It seems a bit gentler than previous vintages, but it's still medium to full-bodied, with ample structure to support a decade or more of development. Ripe plum, cola and chocolate notes emerge on the lengthy finish."- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate As Master of Wine Peter Richards says:"Escarpment has long done a fine line in savoury, understated, nuanced Pinot Noir."And this is exactly that. Inspired by Burgundy, but leveraging Martinborough's unique terroir, Escarpment Pinot Noir 2015 is bittersweet, beguiling and effortlessly elegant. French oak bolsters the dense cherry and blackberry fruit from this exceptional vintage, accentuating the hedgerow, Earl Grey tea, cola and exotic spice notes. Fabulously food friendly, this would be a fine choice for roasted root vegetables, pink lamb, game, wild mushroom stroganoff, game or truffle season. This New Zealand producer is fast developing a cult following among fine wine connoisseurs, and it's not hard to see why when you pour this beauty. Owned by Larry and Sue McKenna and Robert and Mem Kirby, Escarpment takes its name from the limestone ridge that runs through Burgundy. Martinborough has always displayed a certain Burgundian elegance, with New Zealand wine expert Sam Kim saying that this estate's wines"could be mistaken for a top-flight Burgundy". Raymond Chan, who sadly passed away in 2019, was one of New Zealand's most respected wine critics. He was always a huge fan of Escarpment, awarding it Winery of the Year in 2015.£4 per 100.00ml