Served blind by Wayne. A lighter colour than the Escarpment. A lovely, Burgundian bouquet of underbrush, fresh herbs, subtle spices, dark fruit and some dark flowers. A hint of chalk and minerals. In the mouth, the wine does not quite deliver on the gorgeous bouquet. Below medium weight but very good nonetheless. Still, it's very young and primary and perhaps it will put on weight with cellar time? Elegant with nice, sparkling acidity, fine grained tannins and attractive dark berry and herby, brushwood flavours. Perhaps my score underrates it? Do not touch this wine for 5+ years.
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
A deeper, darker colour. My wine did not have the lifted aromatics of the Bell Hill. However, the Kiwa had a good stereotypical Martinborough nose of bramble, peaty soil, dark spices, blackberries, dark cherries and sous bois. Also some espresso. A umami and savoury aromatic profile. Greater depth, fruit weight and power on the palate than the Bell Hill. Serious matière and structure (reflecting the 30 year old vines), with palate coating, pleasing texture. Attractive, savoury, complex flavour profile of damp earth, blackcurrants, blackberries and wet undergrowth. As close as NZ pinot noir gets to Burgundy (a Morey St Denis?). At the beginning of its drinking window, but no hurry here.
2011 Bell Hill Pinot Noir 91 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury
Served blind by Wayne. A lighter colour than the Escarpment. A lovely, Burgundian bouquet of underbrush, fresh herbs, subtle spices, dark fruit and some dark flowers. A hint of chalk and minerals. In the mouth, the wine does not quite deliver on the gorgeous bouquet. Below medium weight but very good nonetheless. Still, it's very young and primary and perhaps it will put on weight with cellar time? Elegant with nice, sparkling acidity, fine grained tannins and attractive dark berry and herby, brushwood flavours. Perhaps my score underrates it? Do not touch this wine for 5+ years.
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2010 Escarpment Pinot Noir Kiwa 92 Points
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
A deeper, darker colour. My wine did not have the lifted aromatics of the Bell Hill. However, the Kiwa had a good stereotypical Martinborough nose of bramble, peaty soil, dark spices, blackberries, dark cherries and sous bois. Also some espresso. A umami and savoury aromatic profile. Greater depth, fruit weight and power on the palate than the Bell Hill. Serious matière and structure (reflecting the 30 year old vines), with palate coating, pleasing texture. Attractive, savoury, complex flavour profile of damp earth, blackcurrants, blackberries and wet undergrowth. As close as NZ pinot noir gets to Burgundy (a Morey St Denis?). At the beginning of its drinking window, but no hurry here.
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