Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2018

Accolades:
97/100 – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
96/100 – James Suckling
96/100 – Bob Campbell MW
95/100 – Cameron Douglas MS

“Splendidly perfumed and immensely complex, the wine shows sweet cherry, thyme, floral, cedar and earthy mushroom characters on the nose. The palate displays outstanding concentration and persistency, together with refined texture and flowing mouthfeel, finishing wonderfully long and seductive. It’s multi-layered and perfectly proportioned with a stunning line and length.” – Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

“Aromas of red cherries, cedar, dry brown spices, forest berries and wood, as well as rose-like perfume. It opens and aromatically enriches with some air. The palate has all the trademark layering of smooth tannins and a smoothly ripe ball of fresh red cherries. Assertive drive to the finish.” – James Suckling

“Elegant, aromatic pinot noir with bright, high energy floral, violet, cherry, fresh herb, star anise and restrained spicy oak supported by fine tannins and juicy acidity. An attractively fragrant, supple wine that’s a little lighter than usual but gives a nod in the direction of Burgundy and shows promising ageing potential.” – Bob Campbell MW

“There’s no mistaking the pedigree of Ata Rangi in the bouquet of this wine – detailed, polished, fresh, youthful and varietal. Aromas of ripe dark red strawberry, cherry, wild raspberry and a core of minerality. The oak scents blend seamlessly through the fruit depositing moments of baking spice and nut. On the palate – fresh, very tense and youthful with firm tannins and plenty of acidity. Fruit and oak flavours mirror the nose. Make no mistake this is excellent wine, but very young – a wine that demands harmonising time in your cellar. Lengthy detailed finish. Best drinking from mid to late 2022 through 2030.” – Cameron Douglas MS

Tasting Note: The resulting wine presents a medley of aromas on the nose: tree-ripened plums, mulberry, exotic five spice and liquorice. It has a gorgeous entry, opening smoothly into a full mid-palate. Flavours of rosehip entwine with a fine and savoury tannin structure that persists as an elegant, classic feature of Ata Rangi Pinot Noir. It is important to serve Pinot Noir slightly cooler than a typical room temperature, 14-16°C, to best enjoy the unfolding layers of aroma and flavour as the wine gently warms in the glass. Only the oldest parcels of fruit are used in this premium Pinot Noir. The fabled Abel clone, allegedly smuggled from Burgundy in the mid-70s, makes up 40% of the blend. The result is a very complex, structured wine, beautifully perfumed in the classic Ata Rangi style.

Vintage Notes: The 2018 season was one of the warmest we’ve seen. On the Martinborough Terrace, a drier than unusual November and very warm December led up to regional temperatures breaking records in late January. This created a good buffer from the wetter and cooler weather that appeared at the back end of the season. Grapes were therefore picked pleasingly ripe and in great condition.

Alcohol: 13.5%

Variety: Pinot Noir

Region: Martinborough, New Zealand