Ata Rangi 'Crimson' Martinborough Pinot Noir 2022

This the younger sibling to Ata Rangi's revered top cuvée and comes with plenty of character in its own right. Made from younger vines up to 25 years old, it spends 12 months in mainly old oak barrels and results in a wine with a delightfully fragrant nose of dried roses, a touch of thyme and rosemary, and a hint of spicy black cardamom and cinnamon. The palate is generous and inviting, full of ripe red fruits that linger on through to a lengthy finish. A glimpse into some of the best Martinborough has to offer.

Perfect alongside roasted chicken or duck, where its vibrant acidity cuts through the richness, or try it with grilled salmon for a match that highlights the wine’s subtle earthiness.

The small town of Martinborough at the southern end of New Zealand's North Island, inland from the capital Wellington, is the centre of a small wine region known for its top-quality Pinot Noir. It's where Ata Rangi is based and indeed they were among the pioneers of this region which is rivals better-known Central Otago as a centre of excellence for Pinot Noir. The first plantings were made by owner Clive Paton back in 1980 on a stony, free draining site on the outskirts of the town. Here, he reckoned, was good terrain for making quality wine and would give him the chance to achieve his ambition to be become a first-rate vigneron. Clive is still at the helm and over the years been joined by his sister Alison, wife Phyll and winemaker Helen Masters. Between them they've built the enterprise into one of the southern hemisphere's most respected Pinot Noir producers.