2021 Kupe Pinot Noir
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2021 Kupe Pinot Noir is, true to form, densely muscular, with a rippling, spicy sort of countenance on the nose. There's resin and clove, alpine mint and tapenade, mulberry, damson and satsuma plum. In the mouth, the wine is fleshy, savory and complex, with a ripe, ribald sort of finish—an uptick to the almost corpulent mid-palate. Many will love the density of this wine, the muscle of it. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Kupe was close-planted and picked on March 30. The Abel clone was picked on April 6, similar to 2022. It's 45% whole bunch, plunged once daily and was on skins for 31 days. Aging was in 42% new barriques for 19 months, with a racking and light fining during that time. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Wairarapa. From the home block, first planted in 1999 and situated on Te Muna Road. TA 4.8 g/l. Vegan. Floral, fragrant and super-pretty aromas. Plenty of very pure red- and black-cherry flavours. Long finish, with smoky complexity. The tannins are velvety but will benefit from time in bottle. (FG)
The 2021 Kupe is a hugely structured Pinot Noir. In 2021, this wine boasts tiny berries, 50% whole bunches, 28 days on skins and 40% new oak, resulting in a not shy tannic grip. It has masses of intensity with silken red cherry and plum fruit that just about manage to pull off the tannins, but it requires time or a steak. While it has massive substance, the fragrance and freshness carry this wine home. Leave on the wine rack until at least 2025. It'll be better for it.
50% whole bunch. Deep purplish crimson. A bit severe and concentrated with tannin dominating the fruit. A tad bitter on the end. Desperately needs time. (JR)
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.