2020 McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ata Rangi

• Style: Elegantly savoury Pinot Noir
• Taste: Violet florals, black cherry, iron minerality, plush tannins
• Food: Roast dinners, mushroom & truffle, poultry, cured meats
• Occasion: Gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 14–16°C now through 2028

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Violet florals and rose petal announce first, followed by black cherry intensity and savoury mineral undertones that ground the wine. The palate carries juicy primary fruit with herbal snap and a whisper of iron ore, held together by plush, vibrant tannins that feel neither aggressive nor soft. This is weight and power with real presence, built to age.

The Winery — Ata Rangi

Ata Rangi—meaning 'dawn sky, new beginning'—was established by the Paton family, who planted the McCrone block at the edge of Martinborough in 1980, pioneering viticulture in the region. Managed by Clive and Phyll Paton alongside winemaker Helen Masters, the estate has earned New Zealand's 'Grand Cru' equivalent recognition for Pinot Noir excellence. The 2020 vintage benefited from an exceptionally dry December through March, yielding pristine fruit health when rain arrived mid-harvest. In the winery, 40% whole-bunch fermentation with indigenous yeasts and 11 months in French oak (one-third new) drew out floral aromatics and savoury depth without overwhelming Pinot Noir's delicate character.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

The McCrone vineyard sits on Martinborough's clay-threaded gravels, and that terroir conversation speaks through every sip. Drink now with roasted chicken, braised beef, aged goat cheese or charcuterie. This wine is vegan and vegetarian-friendly, ripe for the table this evening yet rewards cellaring through 2028. It sits alongside our broader Pinot Noir selection as one of the finest expressions we've found, and Martinborough remains the heartland where New Zealand's cool-climate red story is being written.