2011 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough

Elegant and quite complex, with tight, powerful cherry and berry fruit flavours and an underlying sappy, savoury, mineral character that lifts the wine into another quality realm. A classic Ata Rangi Pinot from a good vintage. Drink 2014-2023.

The 2011 Ata Rangi pinot is an exercise in composure and restraint in a warmer vintage. This is a tight-wound edition that will deliver untold complexity as it builds over many years ahead, showing a wealth of bright cherry pinot noir aromas, gentle brackeny undergrowth, sweet herbs, leafy nuances and deeply integrated cedary oak. The palate has compact layers of tannin that build tempo and shape in elegant style. The quality is evident with less of the gloss and fleshy overlay that this wine often carries, more emphasis on structure this time around; robust and savory. Terrific depth and presence, it will develop for some time. Drink in 2017.

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+.