Ata Rangi McCrone Pinot Noir 2018

Drink it now or cellar for up to 15 years. It is recommended to decant it for half an hour.

Founded in 1980 by Clive Paton and his wife, Ata Rangi is a small New Zealand company located on the southern tip of the North Island. Widely famed for producing excellent Pinot Noirs, the company was awarded the Grand Cru of New Zealand award for its estate Pinot Noir. The team, led by dynamic winemaker Helen Masters, produces three Pinot Noirs, and a variety of white wines based on Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The Pinot Noir grapes come from the McCrone vineyard, located not far from the main vineyards but characterized by the presence of a compact layer of superficial clay which helps the cooling of the roots and the water retention of the soil. This results in a wine with a very different structure and flavor profile from the estate's Pinot Noir. After the vinification processes, the wine is aged for 11 months in French barriques (25% of which are new).

Ata Rangi's McCrone Pinot Noir has intense aromas of cherries, plums, and violets, followed by spicy and herbaceous notes and some mineral nuances. On the palate, it is lively and elegant, well structured, and with fine tannins. The finish is long and persistent and recalls complex fruity notes. It is ideal with lamb especially baked with herbs, mushroom risotto, or game birds.