2020 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir, Martinborough

Concentrated, complex pinot noir with cassis, blackberry, dark cherry, violet, wood smoke and savoury/dried herb flavours. Accessible now but with a proven history of ageing gracefully. Elegant wine with impressive power 26 JAN 2023 Drink 2023–2035 

98 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com #1 of 41 2020 Pinot Noir from Martinborough

A beautiful nose of sliced strawberries, crushed cherries, violets, grated nutmeg and a hint of white pepper. Some hibiscus, too. Supremely vibrant and perfumed with fine tannins that run the length of the medium-bodied palate. Textural. Ground spice and fresh fruit are intertwined, providing wonderful depth and complexity. So long as well. Seamless balance. Superb. Sustainable. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

98 points jamessuckling.com

Ata Rangi Pinot Noir from Martinborough is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s truly great wines—an icon of New Zealand Pinot Noir and a globally recognised benchmark for the variety outside of Burgundy. Elegant, complex and deeply expressive, this wine has garnered critical acclaim and loyal collectors worldwide, earning its place among the very best through decades of consistent excellence and site-driven winemaking.

Ata Rangi was founded in the early 1980s by Clive Paton, one of the pioneers of modern Martinborough viticulture. He planted his first vines on the free-draining gravels of the Martinborough Terrace using a rare clone of Pinot Noir believed to be sourced from the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. That backbone, combined with organic farming, low yields, and minimalist winemaking, forms the foundation of Ata Rangi’s world-class reputation.

The Pinot Noir is hand harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in open-top tanks, with gentle extraction and maturation in French oak (typically around 35 percent new) for 11 to 12 months. This process brings structure and ageability while preserving the wine’s aromatic finesse.

In the glass, Ata Rangi Pinot Noir shows seductive layers of dark cherry, raspberry, rose petal, forest floor, and exotic spice. The palate is silky and fine-boned, with generous fruit, perfectly judged oak, vibrant acidity, and a long, harmonious finish. It’s a wine of grace and gravitas, built to age gracefully for 10 to 20 years.

Ata Rangi Pinot Noir has won numerous awards over the years, including being awarded Tipuranga Teitei o Aotearoa—New Zealand’s highest wine honour—for its outstanding contribution to the country’s fine wine identity. For collectors, sommeliers, and Pinot lovers alike, this wine is essential.