Ata Rangi Masters Pinot Noir 2021

97 POINTS

Emma Jenkins MW - Decanter

A little reserved at first, then opens up with an elegant wave of gentle florals, red and blue fruits, and dried herbs; quite earthy, too. Very fine texture, quite tight at this early stage with firm but very rounded/silty tannins. Such a good core of fruit, really good concentration and length, very complete. The layers and restraint hint at many good things to come. Organic.

96 POINTS

Mike Bennie - Halliday Wine Companion

The vineyard was planted in 2001 and has been owned since 2015 by Helen Masters (winemaker of Ata Rangi) and her husband, Ben. It is certified organic. A large portion of whole bunches usually make the ferment. A sublime pinot noir of depth and concentration yet ethereal glide, filigree of lacy tannin, succulence of minerally acidity and a profile that stretches from dark cherry to game meat and back to alpine herbs and undergrowth. The perfume is wildly fragrant and generous, the palate lip-smacking with its fruit and savoury and mineral characters. The wine is harmonious and persistent. A kaleidoscopic pinot noir of immense satisfaction and complexity.

96 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2021 Masters Pinot Noir is thrilling. It nestles as comfortably on the tongue as the 2020. The 70% whole bunch is almost invisible, save for its impact on the structure (the air and room it creates in the mouth equals space). It's a cooler site with gravel in the clay soil, and it ripens later; so, the hang time may contribute to the width. The rollout of flavor in this wine is persistent from front to back. It's a ripper. It was my preferred single-vineyard wine in the lineup. There's redcurrant, pink peppercorn, pomegranate, juniper, dried thyme, rosemary and hints of sumac. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

94 POINTS

James Suckling

Open on the nose with hints of fresh herbs, like basil and parsley, as well as green tobacco and lightly underripe cherries. Medium-bodied with juicy and round tannins. Sustainable. Savory and delicious now.

90 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

From a vineyard planted in 2002. 70% whole bunch. 30% new oak. This wine is what I’d call ‘A LOT’ in terms of Pinot Noir. Winemaking overlay is overt for me, though, granted, some will love. Cherry, plum, a whole lot of capsicum and spice, juniper berry, dried roses, pine needles, chorizo sausage smokiness. It’s medium-bodied, very sappy and spicy, and again that smoked sausage and firm herbal tang is a theme for this wine, a grainy pumice stone grip to tannin, a blood orange bite to acidity, and again lavish whole bunch character and graphite grip on a finish of good length. I like the structure of it, though it comes at the expense of charm and drinkabilty.