Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2021

In 2020 Ata Rangi produced two more single-vineyard wines from pinot noir, bringing the total pinot noir labels to four, or five if you count their entry-level Crimson Pinot Noir, a wine that I think offers extraordinarily good value.

I have noticed a rise in the number of wines made from grapes grown in a single vineyard. Discussion with several winemakers revealed that this growing trend is probably terroir-driven. More and more winemakers claim to be making wine that has ‘a sense of place’.

It is somehow reassuring to recognise a common thread when tasting several vintages of the same wine. Wines that reveal a sense of place are regarded as being more precious than those that don’t. Winemaker Helen Masters enthused about the differences in her single-vineyard wines but was very cautious about picking a favourite. It is very much a case of ‘vive la différence’.