From Escarpment’s acclaimed vineyard on Te Muna Road in Martinborough, the 2021 'Kupe' Pinot Noir is a flagship expression crafted from the estate’s original plantings on the region’s free-draining alluvial gravel terraces. The 2021 vintage produced a wine of considerable depth and structure, with small berries contributing impressive concentration and a firm tannic framework. Aged in French oak, it combines the richness of mature fruit with the savoury complexity and aromatic detail that define this celebrated site.

The nose is brooding and complex, revealing black cherry, blackberry and dark plum, interwoven with violet, orange peel, clove and smoky oak. On the palate, layers of concentrated fruit meet notes of dark chocolate, dried herbs and earthy mushroom, with a powerful core of fine but assertive tannins providing considerable grip. Bright acidity brings freshness and definition, while savoury spice and subtle oak add depth through a long, persistent finish. This is a wine of genuine substance, with its intensity matched by impressive precision and a structure that will reward patience in the cellar. A commanding Martinborough Pinot Noir, built for slow evolution and the gradual unveiling of its considerable complexity.