Red New Zealand Ata Rangi McCrone Pinot Noir
Red New Zealand Ata Rangi McCrone Pinot Noir 2020 wine
Ata Rangi, a small New Zealand winery founded in 1980 by Clive Paton, is known for its exceptional Pinot Noirs. Led by winemaker Helen Masters, the team produces three types of Pinot Noirs and a variety of white wines. The Pinot Noir grapes used in their wines come from the McCrone vineyard, which has a unique layer of clay near the surface that helps cool the roots and retain moisture in the soil.
This results in a wine with a distinct flavor compared to the estate’s Pinot Noir. After the winemaking process, the wine is aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, with 25% of them being new. It is recommended to let the wine breathe for thirty minutes before enjoying.
Ata Rangi was awarded the Grand Cru of New Zealand prize for its estate Pinot Noir, showcasing the quality and craftsmanship of their wines.
Red New Zealand Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2020 wine
Ata Rangi, meaning dawn sky or new beginning, is a top producer of Pinot Noir in New Zealand. Founded by Clive Paton in 1980, a former dairy farmer who took a chance on winemaking in Marlborough after discovering its potential. Despite his lack of experience, Clive’s wines are now celebrated worldwide for their exceptional quality.
This Pinot Noir has aromas of cherry liqueur, ripe dark plums, and earthy herbal hints.
The palate offers rich dark berry flavors with notes of sweet spices and licorice. It has a vibrant freshness, gentle tannins, medium body, and a long finish, making it a great match for hearty dishes like duck or slow-cooked game.
While enjoyable now, this wine will continue to develop and improve if aged in optimal cellar conditions for the next decade or more. Ata Rangi is a testament to Clive’s vision and passion for winemaking, producing wines that are cherished by experts and enthusiasts alike.
White New Zealand Ata Rangi Te Wa Sauvignon Blanc 2022 wine
Ata Rangi, founded in the 1980s by dairy farmer Clive Paton, means “dawn sky” in Maori. Paton switched from cows to vineyards in New Zealand’s Marlborough region after learning about the terroir. The Sauvignon Blanc, named Te Wa, is grown organically with low yields due to the cool climate.
It has aromas of citrus, green apple, and grass, with a crisp acidity and hints of stone fruit, gooseberry, lemon, and herbs. This refreshing wine is great on its own or with fish, seafood, sushi, or Asian salads.
Red Italian Attanasio Primitivo di Manduria 2016 wine
This Primitivo wine comes from Puglia, Italy, where old vines grow in red earth soil under the hot sun. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks and then aged in oak barrels for a full-bodied flavor. The wine is deep red with aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate, vanilla, and a hint of cigar box.
It has firm tannins and bold berry flavors that will improve with age. Attanasio, founded in 2000, has 8 hectares of vineyards and a cellar under a 19th-century palace. Giuseppe Attanasio, a veteran winemaker with over 60 years of experience, oversees the production.
Dessert Italian Attanasio Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale 2017 wine
The Primitivio grape grows well in the hot, dry conditions of Italy’s southern Salento region, particularly in small wineries like Attanasio in Manduria. Founded in 2000 by Giuseppe Attanasio, the estate manages 8 hectares of vineyards and produces only 15,000 bottles annually due to the tough climate and low yields. Attanasio carefully picks all the grapes to ensure top quality, and the wines are aged in the cellars under the estate’s 19th-century palace.
One of their standout wines is the Dolce Naturale, a sweet dessert wine made from 40-year-old Primitivo vines and aged in oak barrels for a year. With just 2000 bottles made each year, this unique wine pairs well with chocolate, fruity desserts, and hard cheeses. It has aromas of dark berries, dark chocolate, and hints of cigars, and the first sip reveals a smooth, creamy texture with a sweet richness and lingering flavors of dark plum and cherry.