Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2010

Dark cherry and summer plum meld with bright, lifted red fruit aromas, hints of spice and a touch of sweet, fresh thyme in this wonderfully vibrant 2010 vintage of Pinot Noir. Floral notes are present too; old-fashioned violets and a hint of rose. This first impression of primary fruit and flowers is offset and enhanced by layers of savoury, gamey characters and the lovely sinuous spine of tannin that spreads across the palate to a long, fine, silky finish.

 

Looking back at the growing season, temperatures were generally lower than average for the first few months. We chose to crop-thin extensively to ensure that grapes would fully ripen. Hot summery weather eventually arrived - the very long, dry autumn with clear skies and cool nights yielding fruit in superb condition. This 2010 is a finer, more feminine expression of pinot than, say, our 2007 or 2009, and will reward for up to ten years with cool cellaring.