Akitu A1 Pinot Noir 2018

Spice, wild herbs and brooding plummy fruit emanate from the glass with an airy perfume. Intriguing brown spice rack and graphite infuse with leafy sous bois aromatics. The nose is highly detailed - compact and focused - it should open impressively with time.

Very fine and silky entry, plenty of structure over a precise and linear framework. Delicate form with harmonic acidity driving line and length. The balance between fruit, tannin and acid is special and suggests a fascinating voyage ahead. Detail, perfumed aromatics, silk-like texture and subtle persistence define this year’s A1.

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.

38% whole bunch, balance whole berry, 15% new French oak