Wines Marlborough Escarpment Winery - Noir - 2023

Escarpment Winery’s Cuvée Noir 2023 hails from Marlborough, New Zealand’s flagship wine region. While the precise blend that comprises this Cuvée Noir is not specified, the name suggests a focus on a darker style of red, which often in Marlborough may involve Pinot Noir, given the region’s reputation for this varietal. Escarpment Winery is known for its dedication to expressive red wines, and the 2023 vintage should offer a vibrant profile, thanks to the region’s cool climate and modern winemaking techniques. Expect a wine with youthful energy, offering fresh red and black fruit aromas, lively acidity, and potential for subtle earthiness or spice, shaped by careful vinification.

Marlborough, located at the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island, is acclaimed globally for its exceptional cool-climate viticulture. The region benefits from lingering sunshine, crisp nights, and well-draining, alluvial soils that contribute to wines of marked purity and finesse. Historically, Marlborough gained international recognition for Sauvignon Blanc, but its reds—especially Pinot Noir—are increasingly celebrated for their clarity and elegance. Escarpment Winery, though situated closer to Martinborough, often sources from select Marlborough vineyards, embracing the unique conditions that this terroir offers.

This Marlborough red’s fresh acidity and fruit-forward character make it an adaptable partner at the table. You could pair it excellently with New Zealand lamb, especially roasted or grilled, taking advantage of the wine’s ability to complement savoury and herbaceous flavours. Other suitable matches might include roast duck, wild mushroom risotto, or a classic cottage pie. For a regional touch, try it with Kumara (sweet potato) gnocchi or a smoked venison and beetroot salad.

To best appreciate its aromatic complexity and vivacity, serve this wine slightly chilled, ideally at 14-16°C. Allowing the bottle a little time to breathe before tasting may help round out its youthful intensity and reveal its layered character. This is a red well suited to both casual enjoyment and thoughtful food pairing.