This producer is easily the most consistent producer in Australasia, making complex, age-worthy wines. - Tim White.
The dream vintage of 2006 has produced a lively, fruit-expressive pinot that reflects the strong Ata Rangi heritage. Selected barrel components kept separate during fermentation and maturation integrated unusually effortlessly on blending, immediately revealing a wine of deceptive power and grace - the ultimate reward for a winemaker, and the result of an exceptionally favourable season.
A very low yielding vintage and wonderfully warm early summer has delivered a structured, deeply sumptuous, velvet-textured Pinot Noir with great density. This is a serious, cellar worthy Pinot. Opened within the next couple of years, expect to savour the rich cherry stone and delicately spiced, ripe plum characters as they slowly emerge in the glass. Fine tannins run evenly across the full palate. Years later, 5 or 6 at least, patience will reward with complexity and intrigue; layer upon layer of seductively feral notes finely woven with the still distinctive, but now maturing fruit. Sweet spice and vanilla oak, recognisable as separate components when the wine is young, merge to become fully integrated, our aim to achieve real harmony within a seamless whole.
Sourced largely from the oldest home blocks now reaching 27 years of age, Abel (aka the ‘Ata Rangi’ clone) is predominant, but Clone 5 (or Pomard) and Dijon clones 114, 115 and 667 also play important supporting roles. Winery Notes
Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir 2006 ($80) screwcap: To reveal my intentions: I’m more of a Martinborough man than a Central Otago man, though increasingly I love both. Ata Rangi is the king of Martinborough, and 2006 is a stunning example of its power. This wine is supple, arrestingly long, bold in its blue fruit character, and yet savoury, spicy, and sappy too. The colour is a brilliant dark purple crimson, and the finish of it an intricate arrangement of minerals and tannins. Shape wise, it pulls long, rather than balling through the mid-palate. It’s a new world pinot noir for the new world to be proud of. Drink: 2012-2020. 97 points. Campbell Mattinson; Wine Front
Aromas of dark cherry, spice, dark chocolate, violet and a tangy orange peel top note. A bit earthy, fruity and fragrant all in one. On the palate smooth fine talc-like tannins and a lithe muscular frame with expansive and mouth filling fruit. Plenty of flavour, but not heavy or clumsy. There are flavours of dark cherry and berry, spice, undergrowth and tamarillo with a light (and very attractive) sarsaparilla character adding regional interest. Long and persistent (Are we finished yet? Are we finished yet?). I wasted no time buying a few bottles for the cellar. Rated : 95+ Points; Gary Walsh; Winorama
