2021 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir

The Southern Hemisphere’s Pinot benchmark — power with pure finesse

99 points Wine Orbit | 97 points JamesSuckling.com | 97 points Vinous 

Iconic Martinborough Pinot Noir | Purity, Power & Poise

“A benchmark of New Zealand Pinot Noir — sublime balance, graceful power, and utter purity from the legends of Ata Rangi.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep ruby-crimson with flashes of garnet — dense yet radiant.
Aroma: Captivating perfume of dark cherry, rose petal, and wild raspberry layered with spice, fine oak, and forest earth. Subtle hints of truffle, sandalwood, and savoury herbs unfold with time.
Palate: Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced. A silky core of red and black fruits glides across a framework of chalky tannins and vibrant acidity. Complexity builds through fine layers of spice, mineral, and savoury detail.
Finish: Long, pure, and hauntingly elegant — a wine of seamless structure and sublime depth.

Critical Acclaim

• 99 Points – Wine Orbit
  “Breathtaking in every sense — graceful, powerful, and deeply complex. A near-perfect Pinot Noir that cements Ata Rangi’s status as one of the world’s greats.”

• 97 Points – JamesSuckling.com
  “Such purity and clarity — vivid fruit, fine tannins, and endless length. A world-class Pinot.”

• 97 Points – Vinous
  “Beautifully textural and complete. A masterful expression of Martinborough Pinot — both refined and profound.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

Crafted from Ata Rangi’s original Martinborough home block planted in the late 1970s — New Zealand’s most celebrated Pinot site.
Dry-farmed and hand-tended vines on ancient gravel terraces yield tiny volumes of intensely flavoured fruit.

Fermented with native yeasts (30% whole bunch) and matured for 11 months in French oak (35% new), the winemaking approach is minimalist — allowing the site’s natural energy and elegance to shine.

Region

Martinborough, New Zealand — renowned for its complex, age-worthy Pinot Noirs that combine Burgundian depth with New World clarity.
The region’s cool climate and ancient river terraces create wines of lift, structure, and purity.

Food Pairings

• Roast duck with cherry and thyme

• Porcini mushroom risotto

• Seared tuna or salmon with soy-ginger glaze

• Lamb rack with herb crust

• Brie de Meaux or Époisses

Why We Love It

The 2021 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir is a wine of global significance — combining New Zealand precision with Burgundian finesse.
Its 99-point score from Wine Orbit confirms what Pinot lovers already know: Ata Rangi stands among the world’s greatest producers of the variety.

This is a wine that speaks softly but leaves a lasting impression — layered, sublime, and unforgettably beautiful.

Sublime. Graceful. Legendary.
The 2021 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir is a true icon of the Southern Hemisphere — the pinnacle of Pinot perfection.