2020 Blank Canvas Escaroth Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir

The vineyard is owned by growers Andy and Kyna Laurie. Situated in the Taylor Pass subregion of the Southern Valleys, it was planted in 2001. It is dry-farmed and tended by hand. Low-vigour clay soils. Dijon clones 777 and 115. Hand-harvested, 50% whole clusters, fruit kept cool until fermentation started spontaneously after five days. Hand-plunged during the 15-day fermentation, pressed to barrel for malo. Aged 12 months in 100% French oak, low toast, 30% new. Then three months in tank.
“Mid ruby with soft and lightly bricky rim. Open and aromatic with a combination of sweet red fruits and a suggestion of herbal stemminess but not excessive, just seems to lift the aroma, some sweet spice and starting to show some development of leathery notes. More spicy than the Settlement, and showing more evolution, but less herbal/stemmy. Lots of fruit sweetness on the palate, too, with a hint of spice and more savoury bottle-aged character. Smooth tannins are a little firmer than in the Settlement. Extremely fresh with depth and length. There’s definitely some Marlborough red fruit here but it is moderated by the savoury and spice notes. Right in the middle of the palate, there’s a lovely floral moment before the more savoury finish.”

17/20 Julia Harding MW for Jancis Robinson MW

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