In an expert acknowledgement of the region’s quality, seven Martinborough wines were rated in the top 18 New Zealand Pinot Noir 2013 vintage by prestigious UK wine magazine Decanter.
Escarpment’s Kupe and Kusuda Pinot Noir shared the top score of 95/100. Escarpment Te Rehua, Craggy Range’s Te Muna Road Aroha, Te Kairanga’s John Martin and Estate Pinot Noirs and Palliser Estate Pinot Noir all rated 89/100 and higher.
Decanter magazine’s Expert’s Choice was based on wines presented at the UK Wines of New Zealand annual trade tasting in London earlier this year, and was conducted by Peter McCrombie MW.
2013 was described as “the vintage of a generation” by winemakers, and the results are starting to come through in wine glasses.
Peter McCrombie described Martinborough as “producing excellent Pinots that are typically – but not exclusively – muscular and rich.
“Not all producers have released their 2013 Pinots yet. The better wines tasted so far have offered freshness and structure to balance the generosity that marks the vintage, and will reward a few years cellaring.”
