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Ata Rangi
www.atarangi.co.nz
Map location of Ata Rangi

2011 Harvest Team with Helen Masters
Country of Origin: New Zealand
Location: Martinborough
People: Clive & Phyll Paton, Alison Paton, Owners | Helen Masters, Head Winemaker


Ata Rangi -- "dawn sky, new beginning" -- is one of Cream's most eagerly sought after producers as is befitting for this gem from New Zealand. It is owned and managed by Clive Paton, his wife Phyll, and Clive's sister Alison. Clive planted the original, barren, stony 12-acre home paddock at the edge of the Martinborough village in 1980 and, in doing so, was one of a handful of people who pioneered grape growing in the area.

Yields are very low, typically 1.5 to 2 T/acre (4 T/hectare). This is due to the usually cool, very windy spring weather which affects fruit set and also to the lean, stony soils which are low in vigor and fertility. All grapes are hand-picked. Vines are now 25 years old, a factor in the wines ascending quality, as is this hands-on emphasis in the vineyard. For Pinot Noir, the main clones favored and planted are Abel (aka the Ata Rangi clone) which, legend has it, was brought in illegally from France in the late 70's; the Dijon selections, mainly 667, 777, 114 and 115; Pomard, also known as Clone 5 and a smaller amount of 10/5. Most plants are on rootstock - typically 3309 or 101/14.

Winermaking is very traditional in small, closed fermentors with wide top manholes that allow hand plunging. Prefermentation maceration takes 5-6 days, with about 10% of whole bunches included. Wine is pressed into French barriques for malolactic fermentation. 12 months in barriques, 10% of which are new, is typical. Ata Rangi wines enjoy an enviable international reputation, and the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are widely regarded as regional classics.

Ata Rangi is a member of Family of Twelve and Complexity USA NZ Fine Wine Initiative.

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Items
Ata Rangi 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Martinborough Net Price — —
Ata Rangi 2009 Pinot Noir, Martinborough Net Price Reviews Downloads
Ata Rangi 2011 Pinot Noir, Martinborough Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
Ata Rangi 2009 Pinot Noir, Martinborough
Rating: 92

Naturally fermented with 10% being whole bunch, the 2009 Pinot Noir spent 12 months in French oak, 25% new. Medium ruby-purple colored, it offers expressive notes of kirsch, black raspberries, wild blueberries and violets over hints of black pepper, cedar, forest floor, humus and black truffles. Medium-full bodied with a good amount of muscular fruit, it has a medium level of grainy tannins, medium-high acid and a long earthy finish. Approachable now, it should drink best 2012 to 2017+

- The Wine Advocate (10/1/2011)

Ata Rangi 2011 Pinot Noir, Martinborough
Rating: 93+

Pale to medium ruby in color, the 2011 Pinot Noir has an intensely perfumed nose with abundant floral scents of violets alongside pomegranate and cranberries, lavender and some earthy aromas. Medium-bodied and offering a good intensity of fruit, it has a medium level of fine tannins, balanced acid and a long finish. Drink it now to 2021+.

- The Wine Advocate (4/1/2013)