2020 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Museum Release

98 POINTS

James Suckling

A beautiful nose of sliced strawberries, crushed cherries, violets, grated nutmeg and a hint of white pepper. Some hibiscus, too. Supremely vibrant and perfumed with fine tannins that run the length of the medium-bodied palate. Textural. Ground spice and fresh fruit are intertwined, providing wonderful depth and complexity. So long as well. Seamless balance. Superb. Sustainable.

96 POINTS

Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous

The 2020 Pinot Noir reminds me of walking into a cathedral - that quiet, cool hush that falls as you walk through its doors. This is harmonious, supple, unshowy and unforced. Hailing from old vines and delicately textured despite the abundance of fruit concentration. Refined tannins with the finest of gravelly textures, akin to licking a stone. Scented yet restrained, with a fragrance of sweet red fruit, tea leaf and cedar spices with persistent acidity that carries it. Very complete and already approachable.

95 POINTS

Christina Pickard - Wine Enthusiast

This is a classic expression of this renowned winery's estate vines, now over 40 years old, on alluvial gravels. It opens with a rich bouquet of heady spices, dried florals, cherry cola and cinnamon bark, and there's some vanillin oak influence, too. There's density and concentration to the palate. It walks a tightrope of power and elegance, with chiseled, distinctly textured tannins and finely tuned oak. Drink now with protein and until 2033, at least.

94 POINTS

Mike Bennie - The Wine Front

Most of the fruit comes off free-draining Terrace soils and older vine sites. Oldest vine age core, let’s say. This wine is 40% whole bunch. Bold, full and concentrated style, albeit finds structure and levity from frisky acidity and fine, lacy tannin profile. Richness and density in perfume from hello. Dark cherry, mocha notes, liquorice, sweet tobacco and white pepper. Palate and bouquet in synch on characters. Feels fine, trim, a little tough but pulled very long. Great expression.

94 POINTS

Mike Bennie - Halliday Wine Companion

Pretty pinot noir. And elegant. Ticks the boxes for fanciness, too. A heady perfume of sweet cherry, dried cranberry, rosehip tea, potpourri, cinnamon and mahogany. Flash! The palate offers up delicious, rich cherry flavours, dashes of woody spice, a touch of milk chocolate, some mint, a sprig of sage, some clove to finish. So smooth, so even, flows wonderfully. Charm plus.

94 POINTS

Emma Jenkins MW - Decanter

Very perfumed and pretty with orange blossom, cloves and lots of bright fruit – more reds than blacks (though ripe blackberry is a recurrent theme throughout the Estate vintages). An earthy spiciness emerges with time in the glass. Quite taut across the palate with a nice sense of delicacy and finesse that belies the concentration (and exuberant nose). Fine silky tannins and good build to the finish. A baby. 40% whole bunch. A harvest that will be remembered not only for covid restrictions but also for Mother Nature delivering wonderfully concentrated, clean fruit.

93 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2020 Pinot Noir leads with cherry and sumac, layers of graphite and dehydrated blood orange rind. The wine is fine-boned and savory, powered by a fine spool of acidity through the fruit. There are lovely, chalky tannins through the finish. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.