Akitu A2 White Label Pinot Noir

"This is seriously drinkable, but has a serious side. Lovely floral cherry fruit with some hints of pepper and some autumn leaves on the nose. The palate is fresh and supple with a touch of spicy, peppery bite as well as textured, silky, almost fleshy black cherry fruit, finishing with a subtly savoury cured meat character and some strawberry sweetness, as well as fine leafy hints. Lots of interest here, with nice freshness. It delivers pure pleasure, with an intellectual twist.” Jamie Goode

• Winery: Akitu
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Region: Central Otago, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2019
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Volume: 750ml
• Closure: Screwcap
• Other: Sustainable Winegrowing, contains sulphites, cellar potential to 2028
• Food pairing: Chicken & duck; lamb & mild sausage; tuna & salmon; mushroom risotto; mushroom & light-medium red sauces; brie & goats cheese

Winery notes - Dark garnet with a crimson glow, it’s almost opaque at the centre of the glass. The aroma opens with spicy dark cherry and a hint of fresh cinnamon over thyme and a wonderful waft of liquorice.  There is a lift of whole bunchy graphite on the nose with depth coming from dark rose petal and a hint of violets. Excellent depth and complexity while showing opulent fruit density. Rich and generous dark cherry fruit entry opening to an expansive and plush texture with layers of spice and subtle earthy notes.  The tannin is enveloped in a silk cushion of fruit fullness and reassuring weight. This wine finishes with a fine beam of acidity which brings freshness and vibrance as well as an almost infinite length – true to brief; generous and rewarding.

Akitu, in the Maori language, means the summit, the apex or the highest point. We called our wine that because at 380 metres above sea level we are right up there, right on the grape growing edge, against the alps and in the southern most winemaking region on earth. Here Akitu's entire vineyard is dedicated to Pinot Noir – that’s all thats grown, the very best of the harvest makes Akitu.

The vineyard has been laid out in 6 sections: planted in 2002. Akitu have 45,000 vines in 12 hectares of Pinot Noir, planted across the vineyard according to soil and aspect. Over the years Akitu has watched these 12 different plants settle and begin to express wonderfully diverse characters. They respond to weather conditions and the evolution of each vintage, quite differently and present Akitu with a rich palette of choice come blending time.

94/100 Points - Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak (2019 vintage)
94/100 Points - Cameron Douglas MS (2019 vintage)
93/100 Points - Bob Campbell MW (2019 vintage)
92/100 Points - James Suckling (2019 vintage)
94/100 Points & Excellent - Cam Douglas MS (2018 vintage)
4.5 Stars - Michael Cooper (2018 vintage)
94/100 Points - Cam Douglas MS (2017 vintage)
92/100 Points - Decanter (2017 vintage)
91/100 Points - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (2017 vintage)