2013 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough

2013 has been described as the best in a decade, even the best in 30 years by some. It was much warmer than 2012, with reasonable yields after a mild spring. December was dry and warm, but January cooled off, slowing ripening. A well-timed dump of rain arrived in mid February to ease the drought. Lovely March weather ensured full seed and tannin ripeness, but the real clincher was the cold, crisp, clear April, which gave us fruit in pristine condition - not a sign of shrivelling or disease, with acidity, pH and sugars in perfect balance. GDD 1,250, 30% whole bunch. Cool nights. Deep ruby. Surprisingly complex aroma already - still with primary dark-red fruit but also a smoky savoury depth. Super-fine tannins, amazingly elegant even at this young age, concentrated too. Dry-textured and refined. Seems almost weightless on the palate but it still has depth and length. Cool and juicy. (JH) Drink 2017-2028

A fresh, cool and pure nose displays notes of herbal tea, spice and dark berry fruit liqueur nuances along with hints of plum, violets and anise. There is good verve to the utterly delicious, complex and velvet-textured medium-bodied flavors that deliver fine length on the balanced finish where the only nit worth mentioning is a trace of warmth. This beauty is already drinking well though it should continue to reward mid-term cellaring and for my taste that is I what I would suggest.

This is scented, smooth and supple, showing elegant form. It's complex and nuanced with spice and lifted florals, making for a beautiful wine that you want to sink into. There's a liveliness and delicacy in the wine despite the warm season - perhaps that's due to the large diurnal temperate...

A significant pinot noir that displays immense quality, depth and completeness. Very complex exotic spices, meaty charcuterie and game meats too. There's a whole array of different cherry fruit characters, hints of citrus zest and saffron, foresty bracken too. The palate has immense energy and depth yet treads lightly on balanced structure and even shape. Tannins wind out and around supple flesh; they gather and fan at the finish, acidity is bright throughout and the finish holds long. A masterpiece. Commanding and seductive pinot noir at its finest. Drink in 2019.

Savory, herbal and dark- fruited, the 2013 Pinot Noir is medium to full-bodied, quite supple but firm, with a backbone of wiry acids and a long, mouthwatering finish.

Bright medium red. Lively, complex, soil-driven aromas of red berries, dark cherry, plum, smoke, herbs and spices. Suave and fine-grained, with cherry and darker fruit flavors complicated by a hint of menthol and forest floor and spice notes contributing a savory quality. This sappy, bright, nicely delineated wine displays a restrained sweetness and very good length, and has the firm, broad tannins to support a graceful evolution in bottle.

Power and grace combine in this tour de force from Helen Masters, Ata Rangi's winemaker. Toasty oak frames intense black cherry fruit, with hints of herbs adding a savory element. Firm tannins provide ample structure, while the lengthy finish prolongs the pleasure. Drink 2018-2025.

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