The 2023 Kiwa Pinot Noir is a refined and site-driven expression from the renowned Escarpment Vineyard single-vineyard range. The bouquet is immediately complex, offering layers of wild raspberry, red cherry, redcurrant and crushed strawberry, intertwined with subtle notes of baking spice, anise, dried herbs, forest floor and a distinctive clay-and-stone mineral character. Whole-bunch inclusion contributes a lifted floral and spicy perfume, while carefully judged French oak adds hints of cedar and sweet spice without overwhelming the fruit.
On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied yet intensely focused, driven by bright acidity and finely polished tannins. Pure red berry fruits dominate initially before evolving into savoury nuances of spice, earth and mineral complexity. The texture is taut and energetic, with impressive precision and length. The finish is long and persistent, combining vibrant fruit concentration with a characteristic Martinborough savouriness and a gentle grip of tannin.
Still youthful and tightly wound, the 2023 Kiwa shows excellent structure and balance for cellaring. While approachable with decanting, it is expected to develop greater complexity from 2028 onward, rewarding patience with enhanced tertiary notes and further integration of its fruit, oak and savoury elements. Cameron Douglas MS awarded the wine 95 points, describing it as “Outstanding” and suggesting a drinking window extending through at least 2035.
