Ata Rangi Kotinga Pinot Noir 2021

97 POINTS

Mike Bennie - Halliday Wine Companion

This is the second release from the Kotinga vineyard, a site on the edge of the river terrace of Martinborough. Produced in a large (2280L) foudre barrel. It's a striking wine for its tension, Italianate tannin profile, gossamer flow of dark cherry fruit, cranberry lift, pleasing earthiness and alpine herb detail. A gentle seasoning of hazelnut savouriness, too. There's a sense of inward concentration, brooding and dark fruit and spice drive with intent through the wine. All of this flecked with crushed quartz and limestone-like minerality; a crispness through the finish for pleasure. Magnificent, multidimensional and so darn satisfying.

97 POINTS

James Suckling

Perfumed with ripe strawberries and fresh flowers, like pink roses, as well as some of their stems and leaves. Black mushrooms and hints of mulch. Medium- to full-bodied with polished and refined tannins that give a fine velvety texture and a long and flavorful finish. Stony undertone at the end. Hard not to drink if you like crunchy, young and serious pinot, but try to be patient. Drinkable but better in three or four years. Better than 2020.

97 POINTS

Emma Jenkins MW - Decanter

Bounds out of the glass with a lifted, floral perfume – spicy orange peel notes and plenty of generous fruit. The palate has lots of charm and immediacy, too. Plenty of midweight fruit, lots of vibrancy and energy. A good firm structure, with dry, savoury tannins that nicely offset the springy, spritely fruit. Excellent length. Inviting and ready to enjoy now though well placed to age gracefully. Organic.

95 POINTS

Gary Walsh - The Wine Front

From a vineyard planted in 2000 to Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777 grown on gravels. Aged in a 2280 litre foudre. 40% whole bunch. Liquorice, dark cherry, mint and dried herbs, five spice, duck fat, coffee bean and truffle. It’s sappy and earthy, a fine sooty feel to tannin, a blood orange charge to acidity, almost a stony character, with a tangy orange peel and radicchio finish of excellent length. A curious expression of Pinot Noir, but gee, also distinct and interesting with something of a Barbaresco character about it. Unusual, yet kind of compelling.

95 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 2021 Kotinga Pinot Noir leads with clove and ferrous, star anise and pomegranate. The mid-palate is sapid and intense and walks a tightrope of fleshy and tense. It has an energy that sits on the precipice of pleasure and pain, or an intensity akin to the focus required right in that second before you catch a ball. It's an utterly engaging wine. This is the best part about Pinot—intrigue and satisfaction. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

92 POINTS

Rebecca Gibb MW - Vinous

The 2021 Pinot Noir Kotinga is packed full of energy, richness and sapidity. With plentiful concentration and intensity, it has an abundance of tannins that are dry and textured but will require time to calm their jets. Release date 2024.