Crimson has an enticing nose of dark cherry blended with new season raspberry and wild mulberries. Touches of smoky clove and exotic spice add x-factor. Sweet red plum and black cherry flavours burst onto a palate characterised by very fine, supple tannins carrying evenly right to the finish. This wine is utterly charming with an underlying structure that has real weight and power. Pair with game, duck and venison.

Ata Rangi is run by Clive Paton, his wife Phyll and Clive's sister Alison. They are bound by a shared enthusiasm for Pinot Noir and a passion for quality that is evident in their wines. Their Pinot Noir is consistently ranked as one of New Zealand's best.

Ata Rangi's first vineyard, covering just under 5 hectares, was planted in 1980. Today, they harvest from 31.5 hectares.The Pinot Noir is sourced largely from the oldest 'home blocks', now reaching 27 years of age. Abel (aka the 'Ata Rangi clone') is predominant, but Clone 5 (or Pommard) and Dijon clones 114, 115 and 667 also play important supporting roles. If the Pinot is Ata Rangi's Gevrey Chambertin lookalike, their Craighall Chardonnay pays homage to great Meursault.

Sales of the Crimson Pinot Noir support the work of 'Project Crimson', a charitable conservation trust established to protect and plant native trees (rata and pohutukawa) which are becoming endangered.