Crimson Wine

Inspired by a love of New Zealand’s native rata and pohutukawa trees, sales of this very special Pinot Noir from Ata Rangi have now supported the work of the Project Crimson Trust for the past three years.

Founder and winemaker Clive Paton has long been a tree lover, and his work in this area was recognised in both 2006 and 2007 with a number of conservation awards. In his spare time he works actively on native tree planting at the Ata Rangi family Bush Block, 15 minutes south of Martinborough. The idea for Crimson evolved from Ata Rangi’s on-going association with the Project Crimson Trust through Clive’s work with rata propagation and planting. More info on this work can be found on Ata Rangi’s website ‘Bush Block’ page.

Ata Rangi report that their delicious Crimson ‘young vines’ pinot noir, with its beautiful pohutukawa-clad label, continues to wow wine lovers and media critics not only close to home, but in cities as diverse as Tokyo, London, Melbourne, Singapore and Rio. Reference to the work of Project Crimson is carried on the back label, helping to spread the word across the globe. The recent review of Crimson 2007 endorses the premium quality of the wine itself:

Ata Rangi CRIMSON 2007 – 93 points. It’s staggering to think that this is Ata Rangi’s second tier Pinot – it wipes the deck with the best efforts of many other wineries! Super bright fruit aromas, there’s pure cherry flesh and gravelly mineral complexity, gentle savoury spice and haunting fragrance. Supple and steadily balanced, cherry flavour runs on layers of fine tannins, finishing long and fresh.

Nick Stock, Wine Business Monthly 100, Jul 08

Crimson 2006 is now sold out, but the excellent 2007 from the 2008 vintage is available from the winery and fine wine stores. Ata Rangi winemaker Helen Masters comments "Crimson 2008 has an enticing nose o dark cherry blended with new season raspberry and wild mulberries. Light touches of msoky clove and exotic spice enhance the rich flavours of sweet red plum and black cherry that burst onto the palate. Very fine, supplie tannins carry evenly right to the finish. This wine is utterly charming with an underlying structure that has real weight and power."

This vintage is a ‘best of both worlds’ blend of fruit from Martinborough and Central Otago. Cropping levels on the home blocks were tiny in 2007, after cold, wet spring weather seriously affected flowering and fruit set. The result is a more serious, muscular and deep ruby-coloured Crimson which is fabulous value for money. Australian wine critic Nick Stock recently rated it more highly than many producers’ top labels:

Crimson Pinot Noir (in three different size options) makes a fabulous gift ! The bottles can be packed in attractive, branded wooden boxes for a small extra cost and sent directly with a personalised card.

Crimson can be purchased directly from the winery (door to door delivery) for $32 per bottle. There are also half bottles (375 ml) at $16 which make a wonderful Christmas ‘stocking stuffer’ - also ideal for older people who are drinking a little less.

For details and to purchase, visit the ‘Buy Wine’ page on the Ata Rangi website

Ata Rangi CRIMSON is an ongoing commitment to the Project Crimson Trust.

ATA RANGI VINEYARD
P O Box 43
Martinborough 5741
New Zealand
DDI +64 6 306 9584
Fax + 64 6 306 9523
Mobile 027 437 9131
www.atarangi.co.nz for news, reviews and wines by mail order

Links

Crimson Wine

Ata Rangi CRIMSON is an ongoing commitment to the Project Crimson Trust.