Akitu A1 Pinot Noir 2020 (Case 6 x 75cl)
Case price equivalent to £38 per bottle
Akitu A1 Pinot Noir
Region: Central Otago, New Zealand
Vintage: 2020
Bottle size: 6 x 75cl
Grape: Pinot Noir
ABV: 13%
There are hints of wild woody herbs just subsurface, and an awful lot going on: wet rocks with red to dark cherry, deep perfume of herbs and fabulous florals. The entry to the palate is powerful and exuberant with a shimmering freshness and youthful vibrance. Plush, full and very long with gentle persistence to the acid profile. There is a long core of dark cherry and Doris plum fruit over dark florals, hints of tobacco and liquorice add youthful complexity.
The vineyard is entirely dedicated to Pinot Noir, block planted in 6 sections on 250-million-year-old schist soils; Blocks A and B were planted in 2002 with the remainder the following year. 40% of the fruit is whole bunch pressed with the balance pressed as whole berry. Ageing takes place in French oak of which 20% is new. Atiku ‘A1’ Pinot Noir consists of 65% Abel, 10% 777, 10% 115, 10% Clone 5 and 5.5% 667.
Akitu was established in 2001 in the heart of Central Otago’s Upper Clutha basin. Their 12 hectare vineyard sits alone at 380m above sea level on a stunning north facing slope just minutes from Lake Wanaka. Founder Andrew Donaldson, a native to Central Otago and a Pinot Noir specialist, had long believed in the region’s ability to produce exceptional world class Pinot Noir and when the opportunity arose to purchase the Mount Barker site, he did so with this in mind.
https://akitu.wine