99 Points — Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
This is impeccably composed and seductively expressed, showing dark cherry, clove, thyme and cedar characters on the nose with a gorgeous floral overtone. The concentrated palate is plush yet poised and refined with fleshy texture and perfectly pitched tannins. The wine exhibits stunning depth with layers of delectable flavours and meticulously structured mouthfeel, leading to a totally captivating, sensual finish." Sam Kim

97 Points — Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
"The 2021 PinotNoir definitely reflects vintage. Its good colour and abundance of gravelly tannins display the smaller berried, smaller vintage. Its bright fruit, intense concentration and plentiful acidity accompany primary red fruit flavour, with an impressive show of ample black tea leaf-like tannins. It’s a wine for the long haul that draws out to an extended finish." Rebecca Gibb

95 Points — Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
"The 2021 Pinot Noir is vibrant on the nose and totally precise and focused. The acid spools right from the front of the palate and has a mobile, agile way about it. The season may have had it’s challenges, but the wine is effortless, natural and shapely. It’s great. The 40% whole bunch here sits well within the red fruit and creates a capacious mid-palate without an impact of stalky flavour. Superb. A real pleasure to drink." Erin Larkin

97 Points — James Suckling
"Lively and vibrant red fruits of wild strawberries and red charries followed by rose hips, ground spices and touch of citrus zest. Medium-bodied, finely grained, velvety tannins with a delightful acid backbone. Zesty and layered wine with beautiful balance and complexity. It’s already nejoyable now but will age gracefully." James Suckling 

Winery notes:
Early season frosts and cool weather during the flowering period resulted in low bunch numbers that were open and small berried. As a result, 2021 is a small yielding year in terms of quantity but concentrated and seamless in terms of weight and tannin. Weather conditions for the rest of season were kind and enabled us to harvest clean, impeccable fruit with ripe seeds and bright acid. Made from only our oldest pinot noir plantings on the Martinborough Terrace, this wine is the best of six small vineyards all within 500 m of our winery. The result is a complex, elegant wine, beautifully perfumed in the classic Ata Rangi style.