From the winemaker…
“Balance, poise, great detail and deep complex structure”
Spiced cherry primary fruit and dusty dried herbs build gently on the nose. The subtle aromatics in time give way to dark plum fruit characters with a background of brown spices and leafy complexity. Considerable depth and dimension is revealed that belies the intensity of the bouquet. Brooding aromatics driven by a precise fruit focus.
The dark juicy plum drives a generous entry to the palate and that spiced cherry adds great focus and length of flavour. Cinnamon and subtle anise characters are woven into the tactile structure of the wine. The tannin backbone compliments juicy acidity giving a velvety yet lively texture and a mouthwatering finish. Tension with restraint.
This wine is a sleeper and those who can keep their hands off it in the short term should be well rewarded after 4 or so years in the Cellar – but 6 to 10 years may just deliver greatness.
International Wine Challenge 2018 Gold Medal 96 points (2012, 2014 and 2016 vintage)
International Wine Challenge 2018 Best NZ Pinot Noir (2014 and 2016 vintage)
International Wine Challenge 2018 Best NZ Red Wine (2016 vintage)
“Subtle cherry on the nose. The palate is a lovely expression of unforced balance, an interplay between aromatic, ripe fruit and bracing freshness with a lovely savoury glint. Nothing is overdone here.” Decanter on the 2016 vintage in 2018
“Powerful but very fresh, with lovely vivid fresh black cherry fruit and good structure. There’s great precision and purity here, a really serious effort” Jamie Goode
“Subtle cherry notes on the nose. The palate is a lovely expression of unforced balance, an interplay between aromatic, ripe fruit and bracing freshness with a lovely savoury glint. Nothing is overdone here: just 25% of the oak was new, while 40% whole-bunch gives backbone and structure alongside the freshness. Drinking window 2020 – 2035” Anne Krebiehl MW
What we think…
The complexity and depth of flavour in the A1 are astonishing, the result of meticulous clone selection and precise winemaking. An exciting wine – fabulous now and will only improve with age.
Akitu A1 Pinot Noir 2016
Clones: 68% Abel, 16% UCD 5, 16% Dijon 777
Treatment: 40% whole bunch, balance whole berry, 25% new French oak
Volume: 6,610 litres
Alcohol: 14.6%
TA: 5.3g/L
pH: 3.62
You can read more about Akitu and their wines here.
