Ata Rangi Potiki Martinborough Chardonnay 2023

Ata Rangi Potiki Martinborough Chardonnay 

Region: Martinborough, New Zealand

Vintage: 2023

Bottle size: 75cl

Grape: Chardonnay

ABV: 12.5%

This wine has an expressive, floral, and fruit-driven nose with aromas of white peach and nectarine, as well as mealy notes of cashew nuts and blanched almonds. The palate is smooth, fresh and focused, framed by refreshing acidity and an elegant, persistent finish.

'Potiki' translates to ‘last born’ in Māori. The Chardonnay is sourced from both newer plantings and more established blocks in the Martinborough Terrace. Mendoza and Clones 95 and 548, known for low yields and excellent fruit expression, are planted in the Walnut Ridge, Cambrae and Lismore vineyards, on poor, deep alluvial gravel soils. This results in concentrated, well-defined fruit.

The hand-picked grapes were whole bunch pressed. The unsettled juice was transferred directly to 300-litre Burgundy puncheons (20% new) for fermentation using indigenous yeasts, resulting in integrated texture. Following partial malolactic fermentation, the wine was aged on lees for 11 months, developing further complexity and supple texture.

Ata Rangi, meaning ‘dawn sky, new beginning’ in Te Reo Māori, is widely regarded to be among New Zealand’s finest and most sought-after Pinot Noir producers. Longtime winemaker Helen Masters, who joined Ata Rangi in 2003, has played a key role in building this reputation, with Rebecca Gibb MW (Vinous) commenting that she “nails it every year, whither the season”, making wines that “always manage to balance ripeness of fruit with a delicate hand”. In 2019, Helen was awarded New Zealand Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine, in recognition of her 16 years working at the estate.

https://atarangi.co.nz