Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2018

Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2018

 

Zoom Mouse over image to zoom
Ata Rangi
Crimson Pinot Noir 2018
  • Vintage : 2018
  • Country : New Zealand
  • Region : Martinborough
  • Subregion
  • Type : Red
  • Style Light Fruity Red
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir made from younger parcels of vines from Ata Rangi's various vineyards on the Martinborough Terrace. Named after Project Crimson, a Charitable Conservation Trust focused on saving two red-flowering native trees, sponsored by Ata Rangi.

Experts Score Vintage
BC Bob Campbell MW 94 2018
JS James Suckling 93 2018
RP Robert Parker 91 2018
WE Wine Enthusiast 91 2018
DCT Decanter 91 2018
BH Burghound 90 2018
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 90 2016
JR Jancis Robinson 16.5 2015
More information on wine critics and ratings

Vineyards:

Crimson is a wine which was inspired by a love of New Zealand's native 'Christmas Trees' the rata and pohutukawa trees. Sales of this wine support Project Crimson, a charitable conservation trust which plants and protects these trees. The Pinot Noir grapes for Crimson are produced from 10-20 year old Martinborough vines in Lismore, Waiora and Walnut Ridge blocks.

Vinification:

The grapes were hand picked and 100% destemmed, keeping as much whole berry fruit as possible. Pre-fermentation maceration lasted between two and six days. The must was inoculated with indigenous yeasts and hand plunged during fermentation that lasted two to three weeks. The wine was racked into barrel, of which 20% was new oak, where it remained for a further nine months after malolactic fermentation until bottling in February.

Ata Rangi is owned and run by Clive Paton and his wife Phyll, together with Clive’s sister Alison and winemaker Helen Masters. Clive planted the bare, stony home paddock at the edge of Martinborough in 1980 and, in doing so, was one of a handful of people who pioneered grape growing in the area. Ata Rangi’s first vineyard covered less than five hectares of thin, well-drained alluvial soil. They are now according to UK winewriter Tim Atkin, "widely regarded as New… Read more

Bob Campbell MW (BC) : 94 Points (2018)
Aromatic pinot noir with an appealing mix of cherry, plum, mint, dried herbs, and spicy and stemmy flavours. A supple, attractive wine that's perhaps not as concentrated as its distinguished stable mate, but represents excellent value at this price. A wine of character and class. (9/2019)

James Suckling (JS) : 93 Points (2018)
There’s so much to this wine. It is a pinot that really speaks of quality tannin, fresh and quite concentrated fruit flavors and a layered, succulent, fleshy and rich, dark-cherry finish. One of the best value wines on the planet, hands down! Drink now. Screw cap. (8/2019)

Robert Parker (RP) : 91 Points (2018)
The 2018 Crimson Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from vines up to about 20 years of age. Originally, it was a fruit-forward, young-vines cuvée, but this vintage is cut from sturdier cloth, showing some serious tannins on the finish. It's pretty and perfumed up front, with scents of roses and berry tea, adding raspberries and cherries on the medium-bodied, structured palate. Give it another year or two in the cellar, then drink it over the next 7-8 years.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 91 Points (2018)
Like the name itself, this wine is vibrant crimson in color. There's a slight reductive funk on the nose, but this blows off quickly in the glass, replaced by bright red fruit, crushed violet, and minerals, all backed by something more savory and stalky, like soy sauce and cinnamon stick. In the mouth it's light and lithe, crunching with fresh fruit and saline notes through to the finish, and wound tightly by powdery tannins. Simultaneously serious yet approachable. (CP) (9/2020)

Decanter (DCT) : 91 Points (2018)
It’s tempting to recommend the superb Ata Rangi Pinot Noir, or the now dormant Craighall Chardonnay (the virused block is being replanted); even the Te Wa Sauvignon Blanc is impressive for the category. But this more affordable Pinot is a real showcase for both this organic winery and Wairarapa as a whole, boasting a glorious aroma of pomegranate and rose, rounded off with lovely cherry fruit on a supple palate. (OS) (9/2020)

Burghound (BH) : 90 Points (2018)
A discreetly floral-suffused nose is also very pretty and features slightly higher-toned aromas of red cherry, raspberry and currant. The very supple and delicious if again not especially concentrated flavors possess a beautiful texture; indeed it is succulent, all wrapped in a slightly firmer, compact and youthfully austere finish that offers a bit better depth and persistence. (10/2020)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 90 Points (2016)
The 2016 Crimson Martinborough Pinot Noir has an elegant bouquet with raspberry, cranberry and sous-bois aromas that are quite Old World in style. The palate is well balanced, displaying fine grip and a slightly grainy texture, but there is a sense of tension here. It needs a little more finesse towards the finish but otherwise this should give up to five years of drinking enjoyment. (NM) (11/2018)

Jancis Robinson (JR) : 16.5 Points (2015)
Tasted Feb 2017 - Vines less than 20 years old. Matured in 20% new oak. Light, bright crimson. Not trying to make a sweet Pinot but it’s pretty round fruit. Some delicacy. Still quite youthful.

Ata Rangi Craighall Chardonnay 2017
Ata Rangi Craighall Chardonnay 2017
Ata Rangi
Craighall Chardonnay 2017
RP
91
JR
88
JS
92
Hand-picked fruit was whole bunch pressed in a Willmes membrane press. Unsettled juice was fully barrel-fermented in Burgundy barriques, of which 25% was new oak, using indigenous yeasts.…
49,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ata Rangi Célèbre 2013
Ata Rangi Célèbre 2013
Ata Rangi
Célèbre 2013
JR
88
RP
92
Aromas and flavours run the gamut from plum, blackberry and dark chocolate to hints of liquorice, star-anise and black olive. The wine is tight, yet succulent and juicy. The Merlot and…
39,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017
Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017
Ata Rangi
Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017
RP
93
BC
96
JS
98
Dark cherry, dark chocolate, damson plum, and a heady potpourri of rose petal, vanilla and spice aromas lift from the glass, flow across the palate and on through to the long finish of this…
69,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Ata Rangi McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Ata Rangi McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Ata Rangi
McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
RP
93
This wine is a bolder style than Ata Rangi's flagship Pinot Noir. The nose has rich, spicy aromas with a hint of manuka flower. On the palate, velvety tannins are supported by savoury flavours with a juicy and complex finish.
71,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
35,00 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
We also suggest...
New Zealand
93 Robert Parker
Ata Rangi McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Ata Rangi McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
This wine is a bolder style than Ata Rangi's flagship Pinot Noir. The nose has rich, spicy aromas with a hint of manuka flower. On the palate, velvety tannins are supported by savoury flavours with a juicy and complex finish.
McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
71,90 €
New Zealand
90 Robert Parker
Dog Point Chardonnay 2020
Dog Point Chardonnay 2020
Chardonnay 2020
39,90 €
USA
96 James Suckling
Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 2016
Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 2016
Pinot Noir 2016
45,50 €
USA
90 Wines & Spirits
Birichino Scylla 2018
Birichino Scylla 2018
Scylla 2018
31,90 €
New Zealand
93 James Suckling
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2020
Greywacke Pinot Noir 2020
Imagine a black forest gateaux made with marinated black cherries and very ripe blackberries, served with a little creamy vanilla custard. A highly perfumed style of Marlborough Pinot featuring exotic…
Pinot Noir 2020
39,90 €
USA
Birichino Enz Vineyard Old Vines Mourvedre 2019
Birichino Enz Vineyard Old Vines Mourvedre 2019
Enz Vineyard Old Vines Mourvedre 2019
61,00 €
Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2018 Reviewed by Bob Campbell MW 03-10-2020 . Score: 4.5