AKITU A1 PINOT NOIR 2021

Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The spicy mineral perfume is familiar – intriguing and restrained, promising another elegant evolution. This vintage marked with wildflowers and woody herbs – the fruit sitting confidently in the red spectrum.

Fresh and lifted raspberries and ripe red cherry, background brown spice and some rose petal detail. Subtle graphite and anise with a light herb note. Very fresh and youthful, a hint of pink peppercorn and briar. Forthright and aromatically on its toes for now, along with a suitably subtle and integrated oak fragrance.

Juicy and plush with very fine tannins and a supple texture. Svelte red cherry fruit with depth and purity around a voluptuous plump core – juicy and open, yet slick and polished. Fabulous tension and coiled energy and there is an earthy length and complexity to the finish but it’s the ripe red cherry which runs all the way through. Hints of graphite and smoky depth. The palate is very crisp and vibrant, almost resonant acidity sitting comfortably within the tannin frame, enveloping warmth on the finish – cashmere blanket type stuff.

Exquisite fruit, silky tannins held in a pronounced structure, long and persistent. It’s in great shape now but there is nothing but upside from another 5 to 10 in the cellar – but you’ll need to keep it hidden!"

94/100 Anne Krebiehl MW, Decanter UK, June 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Red cherry dominates the nose deliciously, both juicy flesh and crunchy skin, along with some cherry stone lift. The palate falls into step, providing tension, delicacy with very fine tannins that give way with the gentlest crunch, enticing and appetising, showing the altitude of these Mount Barker vineyards in Wanaka. It is the bright, vivid freshness, however, that defines this in its elegance and full-fruited intensity, with just a touch of heat. The finish reinforces that juicy fruit as well as the beautiful tannin structure that will allow this to age effortlessly."

94/100 Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous, May 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"The 2021 Pinot Noir A1 is almost good enough to eat with its density of flavour and rich texture that will leave you chewing on it appreciatively. It has an abundance of tannin (in the context of Pinot Noir), which is cleverly integrated within the core of the wine, creating a mesh-like sensation. It's not a big wine but has plenty of substance within its medium-bodied frame. A concentration of flavour is layered with ripe cherry fruit and herbal characters. A balsamic tinge joins oak-derived cedar notes. Long, scented and textural, this is a wine you want to get your mouth around."

94/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, January 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"Fresh, youthful wine with bright berry/cherry fruit flavours together with subtle spices. anise, vanilla and fresh herb characters. Good drinking now but should continue to give pleasure for many years to come."

93/100 JamesSuckling.com, March 2024 (2021 Vintage)
"There’s a pretty juiciness, with mushroom and bark notes to the strawberry and cherry character that remains subtle and fresh. Tannins are well-integrated. Medium-bodied, tight and focused pinot with good length. Nice tangy finish. Drink or hold."