93 Points, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2016 McCrone Vineyard Pinot Noir is leafy and savory, with dark cherry fruit in
the background. It's medium to full-bodied, rich and tannic on the palate, with a long, velvety finish. Give
this a year or two to come into its own, then drink it over the next decade.
96
Points, James Suckling
This has richness and a riper feel than the ‘regular’ Ata Rangi pinot
bottling and offers red to dark cherries, delivered in a style that has plenty of structure and more muscular
tannin texture. The palate has a sleek feel and a finely detailed and attractive, long draw on the spicy finish.
Drink or hold. Screw cap.
Winemaker Notes
Ata Rangi’s
McCrone Vineyard was planted in 2001 using a mix of clones that has become part of the Ata Rangi fabric:
Abel or ‘Gumboot” clone, Dijon selections (115 and 777) and Clone 5. Although just around the corner from
our home block, the soils are remarkably different.
Whilst the Martinborough Terrace is
predominantly alluvial gravels, there is a seam of clay which threads its way across a section of the
terrace, fanning out over the gravels and creating a cooling effect on the roots in the soil. The McCrone
Vineyard is planted on this distinctly different soil composition, where the clay brings both water-holding
ability and cooler temperature than more gravelly locations elsewhere on the terrace. This delivers a
distinctively different aroma and flavour profile than that of the Ata Rangi Pinot Noir, even with vine age
taken into account. As with all Ata Rangi owned vineyards, the McCrone site is farmed using organic
practices and is certified with BioGro.
The 2016 is supple and lithe with gorgeous primary fruit
characteristics. The nose is beguiling, with exotic aromas of both florals and spice - rose, sage, black
pudding, sandalwood and licorice. There’s great weight on the palate and a concentration that builds as you
spend more time with this wine. Harmonious and beautifully integrated, it’s delicious to drink now but will
equally reward from cellaring.