Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Alot of effort has been out into creating texture in this very satisfying wine.
The palate is a lesson in tactile sensation and balance following a nose that is
far from overstated, showing citrus and low-key passionfruit.
There should be more SB's like this.
Lester Jesberg, WINEWINE, Dec 09
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2008 - 94 Points
Helen Masters' ideal Sauvignon is neither herbaceous nor tropical, but strikes a balance in between. She has perfectly nailed this style in 2008, with its concetrated citrus, gooseberry and asparagus flavours, excellent minerality and persistent chalky finish. It's a very classy expression of the variety.
Tyson Stelzer, Australia's WBM 100, April 09
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Martinborough's 2008 vintage was seriously good and the wines across a range of styles have emerged triumphant. This has a complex mix of primary characters; some chamomile and pear, gentle tropicals and faint nutty nuances from a tiny proportion of barrel-fermented wine in the mix. Satisfying richness and impeccable balance. 93 points
Nick Stock, Penguin Australian Good Wine Guide 2010
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2008
It was up in the air if Ata Rangi's importer was going to bring the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc into the US, but I sure hope they do, because it's a hell of a Sauvignon for a relatively modest price. [YES - this wine is already in CA and is en route to NY; email us for your nearest stockist]. 15% of it is barrel fermented in old wood, the rest sees lees stirring in tank, and it has a wealth of ripe grapefruit character and an evocative grassy note that eschews the over-the-top green pepper character of a lot of NZ Sauvignon.
Ray Isle, F&W Blog, Tasting Room Senior Wine Editor
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2008
If you want a nippy, refined sauvignon to perk up Christmas palates, this precocious ’08 is the bottle to serve. Martinborough, on the North Island, gets rather overlooked in the Cloudy Bay South Island sauvignon stampede.
A pity, as this floral, white peach-stashed, yet herb and gooseberry-laden, wine demonstrates.
Jane MacQuitty, UK Times 13 Dec 08
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Ata Rangi's Sauvignon Blanc 2007 is one of the best from Martinborough, with layers of ripe greengage, citrus, fresh herbs and plenty of palate weight from a portion fermented in older barrels.
Jo Burzynska, NZ Herald April 08
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2006
A funky nose of silage and rolled oats. The palate is weighty, mealy and both round and crisp. This is a wonderful food wine that will enhance fish rather than compete with it. As one would expect from Ata Rangi, some old barrel fermentation accounts for the palate weight.
Michael East, Avenues Dec 07
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2006 92/100
Not Marlborough, but Martinborough – this is from New Zealand’s top pinot noir maker. It’s much more complex than most Kiwi sauvignon blancs, with marvellous richness, texture and palate weight. Now to 3 years.
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2004
Gently aromatic with mild fruit and soft, fresh herbs. Fruit on impact is deep and soft, highlighted by freshness and a mild strain of fresh herbs. Mid palate is very fresh, balanced and dry with a grainy texture to match the acid zip. Finish is moderate and very dry, with a smear of herbal/fruit flavours. Smart wine.
Keith Stewart, Sommnet Oct 04
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2003 - When I blind tasted this wine I thought it was from Marlborough as it has a grassy nose and a gooseberry palate that fooled me. It is a lovely wine for those who like their blanc a little less savage. Salmon with capers and lemon grass mayonnaise on toast plus a glass of Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc provides a perfect and simple dish.
Mike East, Avenues - Christchurch, June 2004
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2002 - 91 points - Bright, racy and juicy with classic, lively gooseberry, lime and leaf flavours rocketing through the finish.
Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, Nov 2003
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2002 - Good concentration of bright nectarine, mango and other tropical fruit flavours. One judge suggested that tasting this wine was like sinking your teeth into a fresh, tree-ripened nectarine.
Bob Campbell, Cuisine Nov 2002
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2002 - 89/100 - Light straw-green; the clean fresh and flowery bouquet with notes of gooseberry and passionfruit flows through into a lively, fresh, well balanced palate!
James Halliday, www.winepros.com.au, 11 Feb 2003
Sauvignon Blanc ****1/2.
2002 Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc ($20)
Bright fruit aromas and clear, ripe, concentrated fruit on the palate. Sweet tropical fruit hints, capsicum and just enough nettle. A graceful, well balanced wine.
Capital Times, 25 Sept 02
'Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2002 is delicious with all the lovely things you expect in a New Zealand sauvignon blanc, lively upfront tropical fruit and ripe yellow peach flavours, a satisfying fullness in the mouth, complexity and a refreshing lingering aftertaste.'
Charmian Smith, Otago Daily Times, 11 Sep 02
'Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2002. Forget Marlborough herbaceousness; this is all intense passionfruit and melons, finely balanced with acidity and heaps of weight and length on the palate.'
Dr Pippa MacKay, Christchurch Press, 22 Aug 02
"If I was ranking wineries from first to last, rather than alphabetically, Ata Rangi would still come out on top. The focus is inerringly on making the best wine possible. The king of the Ata Rangi stable is pinot noir and in ascending order of greatness, Ata Rangi's other outstanding wines include syrah, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc and Craighall Chardonnay."
Joelle Thomson on New Zealand's Top 10 Wineries - NZ Herald 11 Feb 04
