2020 Te Rehua
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Tasting notes
The 2020 Te Rehua Pinot Noir is energetic and lively on the nose, and this carries through to the palate. It's a luminescent wine, spicy, balanced and harmonious, with a splay of juicy acidity that electrifies the palate and the finish. There's that sumac and blood orange again, which is a nice characteristic. There's juniper and a hint of dried rosemary/thyme. Excellent. This is my pick of the 2020 single-vineyard Pinots in this vintage. There is always one that stands on the shoulders of the others, and I note gladly that the order of them changes each season. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. This Te Rehua [pronounced: tay-reh-hoo-ah] was picked on March 12. It's made with 49% whole bunch and was plunged twice daily. It spent 20 days on the skins, with aging in 30% new oak and the balance in one- and two-year-old barrels. It matured for 16 months with one racking during the journey, and it was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Single vineyard (Barton). A little less whole bunch (about 50%), otherwise similar vinification to Kiwa. Dark garnet. Sweet start and really a little lolly-like with marked acidity and tannin on the end. Very youthful indeed but not without interest! (JR)
From a single vineyard in Wairarapa. Pale ruby. Very sweet start and a hint of veg. Rather dry tannins on the really very drying end. (JR)
Beautifully transparent with complex aromas of violets, cranberries, mulberries, morels, rosemary stems, rotisserie and oyster shells. Tight and very fine tannins alongside bright acidity support vibrant fruit and herbs. Refined and bright. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
About the producer
Based in Martinborough, Escarpment is one of New Zealand’s leading producers of Pinot Noir. The estate’s top cuvée Kupe is widely regarded as a benchmark example of the region’s potential for producing world-class Pinot Noir.