Akitu A1 Pinot Noir 2019

The first aroma from this wine gives a hint to the depth and complexity that lies beneath, hidden for now in the glass. Layers of graphite, brown spice and wild herbs sit across dark plummy fruit. Ripe dark cherries, dark rose petal and a hint of sous bois are all coiled very tightly in a compact bundle of aromatic intensity. The palate opens with intense fruit concentration over a core of powerful soft tannin. There are layers of textural phenolics pushing up against fruit plushness which impress and excite.

At Mt Barker, in New Zealand’s South Island, in a high glacial valley of sunshine and rain-shadow on the edge of the earth, each season leaves its own vivid imprint on our vintage. Extreme temperature variations, alpine air, altitude, adversity… all the wild elements of this exhilarating land combine in a Pinot noir of exquisite quality, subtlety and strength.

Clones: 65% Abel, 10% 777, 10% 115, 10% Clone 5, 5% 667

40% whole bunch, balance whole berry, 20% new French oak