Ata Rangi Masters Chardonnay 2021

Ata Rangi Masters Chardonnay 2021

NZD$96.00
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Description

This is the second release of the Masters Chardonnay from Helen and Ben Masters home block 4km south of town. Here the soils have a higher clay content which brings concentration while the cooler aspect of the site heightens florals and acidity. These vines now 22 years old and are showing a singular expression unique to this site.

Stephen Wong MW on the Masters Chardonnay 2021 - (reviewed November 2022)

“Even more restrained than the 2020, this is very young, showing tightly wound fruit framed by carefully judged oak and a flinty reductive edge. The fruit is precise and detailed, poised between white peach, apple and lemon with a touch of cream, delicately floral perfume and fantastically driving acidity. This has a coiled, energetic core of citrus/apple fruit, coupled with a hint of phenolic bitterness to accentuate its chalky minerality. Crystalline and etched, this is very elegant, vibrant Chardonnay with a fine-grained, flowing texture. Focussed, tight and refreshingly pure on the finish, the quality and class is undeniable.”

18.5 points

 

--------THE PRODUCER--------

Ata Rangi

Ata Rangi meaning "dawn sky" or "new beginning" is owned and run by a family trio of Clive Paton and his wife Phyll, together with Clive’s sister Alison and winemaker Helen Masters. Clive planted the bare, stony home paddock at the edge of Martinborough in 1980 and, in doing so, was one of a handful of people who pioneered grape growing in the area.

 

--------THE GRAPE--------

Riesling

Riesling is known as one of the most versatile and interesting grapes in the wine world. It is capable of a highly varied range of aromatics, perhaps more so than any other grape, from floral to tropical, stonefruit to citrus, nutty to spicy, mineral to sweet. Germany is it's home and also where 2/3s of the world's planting of Riesling is found. 

 

--------THE REGION--------

Martinborough

Martinborough is the region just north of the New Zealand capital city of Wellington at the base of the north island. It is Pinot Noir country down here without a doubt with a growing interest in aromatics and Bordeaux varietals. The stars are Ata Rangi, Dry River and Escarpment but there is a solid handful of excellent producers in this warm region.