Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | New Zealand > Central Otago |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
The 2016 is showing superbly with a little bottle age, fulfilling the potential we tasted five years ago. Mid ruby-garnet in colour, it has an alluring nose of pristine sweet red cherry, nutmeg, star anise and wood spice. The palate is silky smooth, with fine and ripe tannins now fully integrated into the glossy fruit at the core. Steeped strawberries, baking spices and a hint of cherry cola are met with subtle notes of leather and game. The fruit still dominates, generous without being heavy. Cinnamon and red fruits linger on a long, moreish finish. Drinking superbly now, this will be delicious over the coming decade.
Gold Trophy
Delightful, harmonious, elegant Pinot with complex flavours of a savoury, dark fruit, leafy notes and hints of smoky oak. Delicious; still in its youth. Vibrant, youthful wine with all to play for.
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.
Akitu's 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. Drink 2018 to 2024
Black label. 14% alcohol. Clones: 68% Abel, 16% UCD 5, 16% Dijon 777, with 40% whole bunch, balance whole berry and 25% new French oak. 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.