Akitu A1 Black label Pinot Noir 2021 750ml

Commercial description

Subtle cherry on the nose. The palate is a lovely expression of unforced balance, an interplay between aromatic, ripe fruit and bracing freshness with a lovely savoury glint. Nothing is overdone here. Annne Krebiehl MW, Decanter

The Pinot Noir A1 was vinified as 40% whole bunches, and theres a definite herbal-stemmy-tea-like note associated with that, but its attractive and well balanced by ripe black cherry fruit. Its full-bodied, with supple tannins, and the 25% new French oak isnt obvious, being already well integrated into the rest of the wine. Dried spices and fine-grained tannins fan out across the long finish. Robert Parkers Wine Advocate

Akitus flagship black label wine shows more concentration than the regular label and more backbone. It has bright cherry, red rose, raspberry, herb and sappy, spicy flavours. 40% whole bunches in fermentation. A youthful and firmly-structured wine that should develop well with bottle age. Bob Campbell MW

This is dense and quite textural with some bitter damson and plum notes hiding behind sweet black cherries, good acidity and some nice fine-grained tannins. Juicy and bright with great balance. Some fine herbal notes alongside the supple black fruits. With some grippy tannin, this is a bit chunkier and more serious than the A2, and has the potential to develop. Jamie Goode

Medium-full bodied, the palate has rich and lusciously vibrant fruit flavours of dark-red cherry fruit with plums and liquorice, lifted florals and hints of herbs. The fruit forms an elegantly concentrated core with fine-grained tannin structure and integrated acidity, the palate showing drive and linearity. The wine has excellent vitality and carries to a long and sustained finish. Raymond Chan

Tasting Note: Moderately intense ruby colour with a garnet hue. Spiced cherry primary fruit and dusty dried herb aromas build gently on the nose. The subtle aromatics in time give way to dark plum fruit characters with a background of brown spices and leafy complexity. Considerable depth and dimension is revealed that belies the intensity of bouquet. Brooding aromatics driven by a precise fruit focus. The dark juicy plum drives a generous entry to the palate and that spiced cherry adds great focus and length of flavour. Cinnamon and subtle anise characters are woven into the tactile structure of the wine. The tannin backbone compliments juicy acidity giving a velvety yet lively texture and a mouthwatering finish. Tension with restraint.

Region: Central Otago, New Zealand

Alc 14%