Crimson Pinot Noir Ata Rangi 2017

We visited the Ata Rangi estate in Martinborough during our 2014 tours to New Zealand, and met owners Clive and Phyll Paton, who are Martinborough pioneers.  Despite their exalted status (Clive is an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit) they were wonderfully down to earth and entertaining.

Martinborough, an hour’s (rather scary) drive from Wellington at the southern end of the South Island is producing some fabulous Pinot Noir.  The Crimson has vibrant red fruit flavours – cherry, strawberry, raspberry and a vibrant palate, medium bodied with a lovely length.  It would easily evolve some more complex flavours as the tannins and fruit integrate fully over the next couple of years.  It would also easily slip down right now!

It’s a perfect match for a lamb ragù, or a Tomme de Savoie.

I included the 2017 vintage in our online tasting of New Zealand wines, and there is video evidence of me comparing it blind with the Wild Earth Pinot Noir from Central Otago!   

I proposed a recipe link in the tasting for seared tuna with glass noodles, but cold meats, lighter meats like pork or rabbit or other meaty fish like swordfish would complement this wine well.

Also available in half bottle, and if you want to splash out the half bottle of their Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2016 is stunning (if a little pricey).