Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2024

What makes this wine special...

• Ata Rangi is a leading winery in Martinborough on New Zealand's North Island, renowned especially for its premium Pinot Noir.
  
• The "Crimson" Pinot Noir is their entry-level wine.
  
• It is crafted using meticulous production processes, including hand-harvesting, wild yeast fermentation, and aging in French oak barrels.
  
• The 2024 vintage is robust and concentrated.
  

A perfect pairing for duck

When it comes to New Zealand's North Island, Ata Rangi is the winery that represents Martinborough.

It is known as a master of Pinot Noir.

However, their Pinot Noirs are typically in the premium tier, with most retailing in Japan for over 12,000 yen.

In contrast, this entry-level Pinot, "Crimson," is priced at 6,160 yen, making it the most accessible bottle in their lineup.

To achieve this price point while using grapes from relatively younger vines, they maintain a natural and traditional approach to winemaking.

There is no compromise here; they strictly adhere to the "simple, hands-off traditional methods" that Ata Rangi holds dear.

Martinborough, often said to share similar cultivation conditions with Burgundy, is an extremely small region but is a place Pinot fans should definitely know.

Within it, a terrace measuring 4km long and 2km wide known as the "Martinborough Terrace" is recognized as the area that produces the finest Pinot.

This Crimson is made from grapes selected from the Martinborough Terrace, ranging in vine age from a few years to over 40 years old.

Harvesting is done by hand, with 80% destemmed and 20% fermented as whole clusters. Following fermentation by wild yeast in open-top stainless steel tanks, it undergoes 12 months of aging in French oak barrels, reflecting a thorough and careful process.

Tasting Notes

"Crimson Red" often refers to a "deep red with a pinkish hue," and as the name implies, this vintage has a slightly deeper color profile.

Impressive fruity aromas of rose and wild strawberry are prominent. There are also herbal notes reminiscent of rosemary, along with a touch of spiciness like pink peppercorns.

With firm acidity, body, and umami, the fruitiness—evocative of blueberries—and well-integrated tannins lead to a long finish.

It can be described as a beautifully balanced Pinot that possesses both gentleness and strength.

For pairing, roast duck is ideal. It also goes well with savory grilled chicken or red-fleshed fish such as tuna and avocado yukhoe.

Supporting nature with Project Crimson

This wine is not just delicious; a portion of its sales is donated to "Project Crimson," a conservation effort dedicated to protecting New Zealand's native plants.

The red flower depicted on the label is the "Pohutukawa," a native species that symbolizes New Zealand. This wine is also a reflection of their commitment to environmental conservation.

About the "Ata Rangi" Winery

Ata Rangi was established in 1980 by Clive Paton. It is one of the oldest wineries in New Zealand and is widely recognized as a pioneer of Martinborough.

Praised by many critics as one of the top 5 in New Zealand, their Pinot Noir—derived from vines with "roots tracing back to Romanee-Conti"—has won numerous awards both domestically and internationally.

They are also dedicated to sustainable winemaking, avoiding the use of any insecticides, chemical fertilizers, or herbicides. Instead, they incorporate organic and partially biodynamic practices, such as applying compost teas, cultivating wildflowers, and using natural soil preparations.

The name "Ata Rangi" is a Maori phrase meaning "dawn sky" or "new beginning," reflecting their respect for the land and their work.

About the Wairarapa Region

Located in the southeast of New Zealand's North Island, "Wairarapa" is a popular resort area, thanks in part to its easy accessibility, being just about an hour's drive from the capital, Wellington.

The sub-region of "Martinborough" within this area has climate and soil conditions very similar to those of "Burgundy" in France, and it is known as one of the world's top-class Pinot Noir production areas.

Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2024