1999 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir

Just one point separated the Ata Rangi from the Martinborough Vineyard Pinot. The Ata Rangi wine delivers, the finest expression of Pinot flavour and intensity of the current Pinot tasting, and ranks as one of the worlds Great Pinot Noirs.Outstanding colour. Deep crimson mauve, again clearly demonstrating that Pinot Noir can have good colour. Superb nose! Perfumed with aromas of spicy oak, cherries, dark plums, earth and game. The palate like the Martinborough delivers a perfect flavour profile, combining weight, concentration and power. Totally monthfilling and with a flavour profile the volts in like a giant wave, until it absolutely submerges the palate.

This is it! This is what the search has been for, we have arrived! The journey to find a great Pinot has been a long one, with many disappointments but now that we have found the 'Holy Grail' it has all been worthwhile. Concentrated flavours of cherry, spice, plum, liquorice and rhubarb. Perfect balance, warm spicy back palate. Velvet smooth tannins and an exceptionally long aftertaste which lingers on and on. Total pleasure! Cellar 4-5 years.