Scotsman rates Martinborough highly

Acknowledgement of Martinborough’s ability to produce fine wines across the varietal range was echoed in the  ‘Scotsman on Sunday’ magazine (11 October 2009).  Commentator Will Lyons (winner of the Louis Roederer Regional Wine Writer of the Year award 2008), in writing that New Zealand is “so much more than sauvignon blanc”, went on to say that “Martinborough stands out for its chardonnay, riesling and pinot noir”.  

He told his 185,000 readers that “the pinot noir I have tasted from Ata Rangi and Dry River can stand alongside any of those found in Burgundy. They possess a ripe, plummy fruit character with an appealing savoury component that puts to shame many of the one-dimensional fruit bombs found elsewhere”. 

Reinforcing the diversity of Martinborough wines, he described the Ata Rangi 2007 Craighall Chardonnay as an “absolutely outstanding wine … with wonderful mouthfeel and pleasing acidity.  Sublime.”