Buying Guide > All Regions > New Zealand >

Martinborough Wines

Sort By:

Escarpment 2005 Kupe Pinot Noir (Martinborough)

Price $60

Since its debut in 2003, this has been one of New Zealand’s top Pinot Noirs, combining power, structure and complexity. Smoky and richly peppery at first, it turns more floral with aeration, and while it’s big in the mouth, it’s also silky in texture. The black cherry, plum, vanilla and spice flavors fan out on the long, layered finish. Drink now–2015. — J.C. (11/1/2007)

Escarpment 2003 Kupe Pinot Noir (Martinborough)

Price $60

Impressively big, rich and well extracted, with bold black cherry flavors, but also complex hints of cinnamon and other spices, floral notes and a pleasant herbal tinge to the softly tannic finish. Approachable now, but probably better in 3–4 years. Just 500 cases produced. Imported by Meadowbank Estates. — J.C. (12/1/2005)

Martinborough Vineyard 1999 Late Harvest Riesling (Martinborough)

Price $29

Intense dried-apricot aromas and flavors indicate a high degree of botrytis, which would be overwhelming except for the trademark New Zealand acidity. Despite the heavy botrytis and sweet mango fruit, a sharp lime-citrus edge cuts through the richness, suggesting that cellaring 3–5 years is possible. — J.C. (5/1/2001)

Te Kairanga 2001 Sauvignon Blanc (Martinborough)

Best Buy

Price $14

Unusually lush, even for this vintage, it starts with pronounced aromas of limes and lemons, fresh green apples, and juniper berries, and turns luscious in the mouth. Partial barrel fermentation and lees aging create a creamy, smoky mouthfeel, while the fruity flavors are volcanic. But it’s dry and elegant. Virtually flawness Sauvignon Blanc. — S.H. (11/15/2002)

Martinborough Vineyard 1997 Chardonnay (Martinborough)

Price $26

This winery is widely regarded as New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir producer, and its Chards are exceptional, too. Smells young, fresh and oaky. One sip is all it takes: You’ll love the flinty, mineral flavors accompanied by young tropical fruit and the ripest peaches. A superb wine, and an education for fruit-forward fans. Needs time. — S.H. (8/1/1999)

Escarpment 2007 Pinot Noir (Martinborough)

Editors' Choice

Price $43

Larry McKenna continues to show his masterful touch with Martinborough Pinot with his latest release. The 2007 is full-bodied and velvety, practically lush in the mouth, and filled with black cherry, plum, cola and sassafras flavors, with additional herbal complexity hinted at on the long, mouthwatering finish. — J.C. (12/1/2008)

Voss 2005 Pinot Noir (Martinborough)

Price $39

An atypically lush, full-bodied Pinot, this harkens back to the winery’s excellent 2001 in style, ripe and plummy, yet with complex notes of coffee, meat, dried herbs and cracked pepper. Long on the finish, where hints of black tea emerge. Imported by Meadowbank Estates. — J.C. (7/1/2007)

Dry River 2004 Pinot Noir (Martinborough)

This, one of New Zealand’s cult wines, should retail for about $85 when it hits a select few retailers’ shelves this fall. Although not perhaps the strongest vintage in Martinborough, the 2004 Dry River Pinot Noir features incredibly kaleidoscopic forward fruit that ranges from cherry to plum to mixed berries and back again. It’s lush and round, yet still… — J.C. (11/1/2006)

2008 Rodney Strong Reserve

Here’s a fruity, soft, flamboyant Cabernet, packed with plum, blackberry…

(Sponsored)