Ata Rangi McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

Reviews

James Suckling (JamesSuckling.com): 97/100. Attractive, fresh red-cherry and blueberry aromas, as well as blood orange and orange zest. Some herbal notes too. This delivers a sense of purity as well as complexity. The palate has bright and vivid red-cherry flavor with quite a rich and well-defined core of intense red cherries and a fluid build through the finish. Nicely layered and concentrated with intense, compressed tannin at the finish. Drink or hold.

Falstaff Magazin (Anne Krebiehl MW, Tasting from 12.11.2021): 96/100. Ripe red cherry is clothed in subtle smoke on the sumptuous nose. That smokiness persists on the palate that shimmers with elderberry, tar and ripe, red cherry. Aromatic nuances unfold while the gentle imprint of tannin leaves its trace. This is bold, full-fruited but also edged with savoury spice and bright with freshness. It is smoke and cherry that dominate the long finish.

Tasting Note

Exquisite nose of rose petal, sweet raspberry and spice. Bold and juicy entry to the palate, with primary fruit combining with herbal and iron ore notes. There is a brooding, savoury note to the glossy and vibrant palate. The benefit of careful cellaring before release is showing in the suppleness and length of the tannins

Aromas and flavours:

Additional information

Type: red wine

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Food match: Match with duck, pork, beef and lamb dishes

Vineyard: McCrone Vineyard, Martinborough, New Zealand. Ata Rangi's McCrone Vineyard was planted in 2001 using a mix of clones that have become part of the Ata Rangi fabric: Abel or 'Gumboot' clone, Dijon selections (115 and 777) and Clone 5. Although just around the corner from our home block, the soils are remarkably different. Whilst the Martinborough Terrace is predominantly alluvial gravels, there is a compact seam of clay which threads its way across a section of the terrace, fanning out over the gravels and creating a cooling effect on the roots in the soil. The McCrone site catches this seam and delivers a distinctively different aroma and flavour profile than that of the Ata Rangi Pinot Noir.

Vintage 2019: Good rainfall up to Christmas set the vineyards up well for what was a very dry Summer. Overall, the season was slightly warmer than average, but the cooler finish to the season meant vibrant acidity was retained, while tannins ripened fully. McCrone vineyard is just around the corner from our home block but here the soils are remarkably different. Whilst the Martinborough Terrace is predominantly alluvial gravels, there is a compact seam of clay which threads its way across a section of the terrace, fanning out over the gravels and creating a cooling effect on the roots in the soil. The McCrone site catches this seam and delivers a distinctively different aroma and flavour profile than that of the Ata Rangi Pinot Noir. Smaller bunches and yields resulted in concentration and complexity, extra time in the cellar has allowed this wine to evolve beautifully

Winemaking: 40% whole bunch with the remainder destemmed, fermentation by indigenous yeasts. Total tank time 15- 23 days. After pressing, complete malolactic ferment in oak. 11 months total in French oak (35% new), then blended and held for further 8 months prior to bottling.

Cellaring potential: 2030+

Notice: contains sulfite

Alcohol: 13.5% vol

Residual sugar: <1 g/l

Bottle size: 0.75l

Closure: Screwcap

Serving: Serve Pinot Noir at 16 - 18°C, that is slightly cooler than a typical room temperature, to best enjoy the layers of aroma and flavour as the wine slowly warms in the glass. Decanting an hour or so before serving is worthwhile, especially for young and/or more structured wines.

Produced and bottled: Ata Rangi Vineyard, PO Box 43, Martinborough 5741, New Zealand

Distributor: vinabonus GmbH, Simmedenweg 40, 34134 Kassel, Germany

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