CONSIGNMENT® Escarpment Pinot Noir – 6057859580063

Notes from the Winemaker (2012 vintage):

This wine was grown on the McCreanor Vineyard Princess Street, Martinborough from 25 year old vines. A combination of slightly heavier soils and a blend clones, 10/5, Abel and Clone 5 always rewards us with this particular style; soft, ripe, pure fruit expressions in an exceedingly New World Pinot Noir.
It was open topped fermented using indigenous yeasts in traditional wooden cuvees, hand plunged every 12 hours, with a total vat time of 15 days. After pressing it was matured in 30% new French oak barriques for 12 months. It was fined using a minimum of egg whites to protect the flavours and aid brightness in the glass without filtering, promoting soft mouth feel and texture. It will continue to develop for up to 10 years and will always be a wonderful counterpart to any game food.

97 Points- James Suckling:
A darker expression in 2013, this has deep, spiced complexity, with anise and other woody spices, a fragrant, perfumed lift, dark-purple florals and meaty nuances. There’s plenty of depth. The palate has immense dark-fruit presence, with cherry and plum flavors. Tannins are powerfully striking but perfectly cloaked in deep fruit presence. Acidity is wired deep and adds turbo-like power to the finish. Drink in 2019. (Oct. 2014)

90 Points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (2012 vintage):
Pale ruby purple-colored, the 2012 Pahi Pinot Noir shows off a nose of red currants and red cherries accented by hints of lavender, orange peel and wild thyme. Light-bodied and delicately crafted on the palate, it gives just the right amount of red fruit and earthy flavors punctuated by lively acid and a low to medium level of fine-grained tannins to hold through a finish with good length. Approachable now, it should drink best 2014 to 2018+.

91 (+?) Points – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (2012 vintage):
Bright, moderately saturated medium red. Musky aromas of cherry, licorice, smoke and pepper. Rich, suave and very dry, with good peppery lift to the intense red berry, dried herb and spice flavors. Finishes savory and bone-dry, with sneaky length. Chewy, rich and complex. (Sep/Oct ’14)