| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | New Zealand > Central Otago |
| Colour | Red |
| Type | Still |
Bright ruby colour. Wonderful fragrance, this has really opened up since our last tasting in February. Cherry blossom, wild strawberries, green peppercorns and rosemary on the nose. The palate has an airy intensity, weightless yet persistent, this is highly refined. Proper Pinot in character, all red fruit, fresh flowers and fine-grained tannin. Focused, lifted and deceptively intense, the equilibrium allows the bright fruit to shine. There is good grip on the back end, highlighting the ageing potential here. Impressive, the best Akitu yet.
A lovely mossy lift gives an ethereal edge to pristine, ripe but tart red cherry fruit. The palate comes in with a firm but graceful structure and a spine of both ripe, slightly grippy and superfine tannin and vivid, mouth-watering freshness. The texture has the kind of resonance and depth that draws you in and promises reserves that have yet to show themselves. Give this bottle age. It is a lesson in precision, clarity and depth. The length proves this point and throws in a lifted note of conifer.
13.5% alcohol. This is a tight-wound, structured Pinot with some savoury, gravelly grip to the black cherry and blackberry fruit, with some raspberry brightness and a touch of sternness on the finish. The nose is intriguing, with fine green hints interwoven into the slightly sweet and sour fruit, and savoury overtones. There’s lots of fruit here, but it is chained with fine but firm tannins, and it has some tautness. You can drink it now, and it offers a lot of pleasure, but it’s grunty and stern enough to reward some cellaring. Impressive stuff, chiselled, balanced, but with lovely fruit, too.
Pale ruby-garnet colour. This blends the sweetness of New Zealand Pinot purity with a fragrant, lightly savoury tone - it is beguiling and enticing. The palate is soft, succulent and retains the same fragrance, bringing fleshy strawberries and light red fruits together with hints of dried flowers and a light gamey tone. The tannins are unobtrusive, melting into the wine and bringing real approachability. Fine, with a spicy, moreish finish.
