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2018 A2 Pinot Noir / 12 Bottle Pack
2018 Akitu 'A2' Pinot Noir
Intensity, an immediacy and engaging bouquet with a red fruit and savoury core, some wild dry herb, red apple skin, cherry and intense minerality. The oak message is distinctive yet mild with a salted cashew nut and spice combination. On the palate - tense, youthful, firm, fruity, savoury and dry. All the flavours suggested on the nose come alive on the palate, but this wine also needs time to integrate more to find its true balance. Firm tannins and medium+ acidity offer a strong foundation. A lovely wine with medium-minus weight, but lovely intensity and flavour. Best drinking from 2022 through 2028.
93 Points.
Grown at high altitude at Mt Barker, in the Wanaka sub-region, the 2018 vintage was designed as a ‘highly drinkable wine of unthinkable quality’. Matured in French oak casks, it is a bright ruby, attractively scented red, with strong, ripe, cherryish, spicy, nutty flavours, fresh acidity, and loads of drink-young charm. Best drinking 2022+.
4.5 Stars
2018 Akitu ‘A2’ Pinot Noir
Blending and Tasting Notes
Clones: 27% 777, 17% 667, 16% 114, 15% Abel, 13% Clone 5, 12% 115
Treatment: 28% whole bunch, balance whole berry, 9% new French oak
Volume: 18,003 litres, 2,071 x 12b cases
Technical: Alcohol 14.0%, TA 5.9g/l, pH 3.61
Harvest Dates: 29th March – 6th April 2018
Bottling Date: 28th March 2019
Unquestionably fruit driven from the moment of opening – gorgeous, rich Central Otago sensations - a festoon of dark plum and rose petal florals fill the glass.
There is depth and concentration of aroma with subtle graphite, Turkish delight and a slatey mineral lift. So ready on the nose, but foremost this wine is hospitably fruit driven.
Plush and pillowy entry with plenty of weight and texture to the dark fruit-focused core, plums and cherries galore. Very good power and intensity with generosity, cut through with fine acidity and layered tannin structure.
Plush and comforting but with poise – opera, not ballet.
Cellaring – now to 5 years
Food – Any Lamb from Yotam Ottolenghi, some middle eastern influence and a squeeze of lemon juice over the top to get your tastebuds really going.