Ata Rangi Célèbre 2024 is a Martinborough red blend of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, with plush boysenberry, blueberry and red liquorice. It was rated 95 POINTS by Cameron Douglas MS. A great wine for everyone who likes rich, spicy reds that stay fresh and supple.
In the glass it first reveals spicy brandy snap aromas alongside the fruit, and the palate is bright, fine and supple, balanced by fine chalky tannins. Ata Rangi describe it as a beautifully balanced wine that shows what late-ripening varieties can achieve in a long, dry autumn in a cool region.
This is a wine for those of us who enjoy a generous red with spice and structure. It would pair well with slow-cooked lamb or a char-grilled steak, and it is a special weekend wine.
The 2024 blend is 43% Merlot, 38% Syrah, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Malbec.
What it tastes like
The wine has real depth beneath its brightness. Cameron Douglas, MS found dark red fruits of plum, blackcurrant and blackberry with crushed violets, a light peppercorn spice and wood smoke, and a dry, textured palate with plenty of acidity and a light saline touch. He described it as classic, distinctive and complex, with a long, youthful finish. It's delicious.
Style at a glance
- Body: plush yet supple
- Sweetness: dry
- Acidity: fresh, with plenty of energy
- Tannin: fine and chalky
- Oak: 22 months in French oak, which softens the tannins and lets the wine open slowly
- Style: spicy, plush, supple, age-worthy
Food to enjoy this with
- Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with garlic and rosemary
- Char-grilled scotch fillet
- Venison casserole
- Beef and mushroom pie
- Aged cheddar and hard cheeses
- Something unexpected: Moroccan lamb tagine with dates. The boysenberry and liquorice notes pick up the sweet spices, and the fine tannins handle the rich sauce.
Who makes it
Ata Rangi was founded in 1980 by Clive Paton on a newly purchased 4.9 hectare plot in Martinborough. Clive and Phyll Pattie co-own Ata Rangi with Alison Paton, who is general manager, and Helen Masters has been the winemaker since 2003. The team farm around 32 hectares over 14 vineyards around Martinborough, on shallow silt-loam over deep alluvial gravels, and the home vineyards have been fully organic since 2014.
Ata Rangi's approach is hands-off and traditional, with no cultured yeasts, enzymes or fining products. For the 2024 Célèbre, the Merlot and Malbec were fermented together after a 4–6 day pre-fermentation maceration (letting the skins soak in the juice before fermentation starts), with indigenous yeasts completing the ferment over 10–12 days. The fermenters were then closed so the wine could macerate on its skins for a further 10 days. The earlier-ripening Syrah was fermented separately and more briefly to keep it bright and floral, and Cabernet Franc from older and younger vines adds an exotic high note. The blend was aged for 22 months in French oak before bottling.
About the vintage
Ata Rangi call 2024 "arguably the best in 45 years" of growing grapes. A wet winter was followed by drying winds and spring frosts, so fewer bunches formed, but good flowering gave small, fully formed bunches. A glorious summer and a dry autumn with warm days and cool nights gave beautiful skin and tannin ripeness with perfect acidity, and Ata Rangi expect wines with great longevity.
Critic scores and ratings
- 95 POINTS – Cameron Douglas, MS – camdouglasms.com, June 2026
"Classic, distinctive, complex and enticing wine with a bouquet of berry through dark red fruits of plum and blackcurrants, blackberries and crushed violets. Layers of spice with a light peppercorn quality, wood smoke and earth-smoke of red clays and stone. A dry textured wine touches the palate with a core of dark red berry fruits, firm textures from fruit then wood tannins, plenty of acidity with alight saline touch. Delicious, fresh and dry with a lengthy urgent youthful finish. Best drinking from 2029 through 2039."
When to drink it
Ata Rangi say you can drink it now or cellar it for 20 years, and Cameron Douglas, MS gives best drinking from 2029 through 2039. It rewards being decanted while young, and it is the sort of wine you buy a case of.
Technical details
| Winery: |
Ata Rangi |
| Wine: |
Célèbre |
| Vintage: |
2024 |
| Variety: |
43% Merlot, 38% Syrah, 12% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec |
| Region: |
Martinborough |
| Country: |
New Zealand |
| Alcohol: |
14% |
| Oak: |
22 months in French oak |
| Fermentation: |
Indigenous yeasts; Merlot and Malbec co-fermented |
| Closure: |
Screwcap |
| Cellaring: |
Up to 20 years (Ata Rangi) |
Where to buy
For international delivery to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, the Ata Rangi Célèbre 2024 is available from our winenz.com website. For delivery within New Zealand, buy it from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it at our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores, alongside a large range of New Zealand and international wine. On both websites and in both stores you can select a mixed case from a large range of wines, and if you are visiting from overseas, we can ship it home for you.
Questions we are often asked
What grapes are in Ata Rangi Célèbre 2024?
The 2024 Célèbre is 43% Merlot, 38% Syrah, 12% Cabernet Franc and 7% Malbec, all from Martinborough.
Can I drink Ata Rangi Célèbre 2024 now?
Yes. Ata Rangi say it can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 20 years, and Cameron Douglas, MS expects it to be at its best from 2029.
What does Ata Rangi Célèbre taste like?
Ata Rangi describe plush boysenberry and blueberry with brandy snap and red liquorice spice, and fine chalky tannins.
What food goes with Ata Rangi Célèbre?
It suits slow-cooked lamb, grilled beef, venison and hard cheeses.
Where can I buy Ata Rangi Célèbre 2024?
The Winery ships Ata Rangi Célèbre 2024 internationally from winenz.com to the USA, Australia, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, China and South Korea, and delivers within New Zealand from thewineryonline.co.nz. You can also buy it in our Queenstown and Arrowtown wine stores.
