2010 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Martinborough

A very cool start to the season, with combined heat units for October and November 2009 the lowest we’d recorded since 1992 (when fine ash from the 1991 Mt Pinatubo eruption created cool, overcast conditions for over two years). Flowering was 2-3 weeks late and patchy, with January more overcast than usual. We went into March feeling pretty nervous, but from mid March on, we experienced idyllic weather, with warm, dry, sunny days and cool nights, a pattern that was consistent through to the middle of May. Harvest began two weeks late, with fruit arriving in beautiful condition. GDD 1,060, 10% whole bunch. Darker and more savoury than 2009. Excellent balance of smoky-savoury and fresh dark-red fruit. Cool and full of energy. Dry, silky and so elegant.(JH)

Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2010 Pinot Noir's nose is just a little closed giving mulberry and black cherry hints with accents of garrique, violets, mossy bark and some clove hints. Medium bodied, it has great structure with medium to firm fine grained tannins and good but not over-whelming acid freshness complimenting the black and red fruit flavors, finishing with some mineral notes.

A little more blue in the colour. Primary and spicy dark-red fruit. More savoury than many, some oak char on the mid palate, a little flat. Dry but with the fruit weight to balance. Lacks lift but may just be closed. Warm finish. (JH)