Escarpment - Kiwa Pinot Noir - 2022

Kiwa is a particularly aromatic wine, and its efforts are concentrated on lengthening as opposed to broadening the experience. This means it is more of a javelin-shaped wine than the others, and it adds precision and steeliness, as well as a remarkable degree of streamlined intensity by virtue of its inclusion of 43% whole bunches. The vineyard sits on deep alluvial gravels, and it seems these soils add even more tension and fitness to the whole. As always, with Escarpment wines, no expense is spared with the French oak budget, and while the technical notes report 40% new oak is employed, this woodwork lines up in a linear fashion along the entire length of flavour, so at no point do you sense any oakiness whatsoever. This is a pinpoint, accurate balancing act, and I take my hat off to Tim for ensuring that this wine flies straight and true on the palate. 18.5/20 Points Matthew Jukes, matthewjukes.com