While Ata Rangi’s flagship Pinot Noir rightly commands global reverence, their ‘Crimson’ release is far more than a simple second wine. It is a profound expression of Martinborough terroir in its own right, crafted by the esteemed winemaker Helen Masters from the estate’s younger vines. The 2024 vintage, widely regarded by the winery as one of the finest in their 45-year history of growing grapes, delivers an electrifying and pristine expression of New Zealand Pinot Noir. The name "Crimson" is a direct nod to Project Crimson, a charitable trust dedicated to the preservation of New Zealand’s native red-flowering pōhutukawa and rātā trees. This commitment to the land is reflected in the glass. The fruit is handled with the exact same uncompromising philosophy as the flagship: indigenous yeasts, gentle extraction, and precise ageing in French oak. In the glass, the 2024 pours a vivid, translucent ruby. The nose is incredibly expressive and perfumed, offering a complex aromatic weave of ripe cranberry, wild cherry, and hibiscus, alongside a distinct, savoury undertone of fresh sage and crushed rock. On the palate, it is entirely seamless. Plush, sun-drenched red fruit is held in perfect tension by a vibrant, salivating acidity and tannins that feel like finely cut velvet. [#intro]A vibrant Martinborough Pinot Noir delivering plush red fruit, velvet tannins & remarkable winemaking pedigree...[/intro]