Atiku ‘A1’ Pinot Noir

Product Description

In the south of New Zealand there lies a beautiful and powerful place called Central Otago. This land, dominated by rivers and mountains and shaped by glaciers, has become the most intriguing place in the new world to grow Pinot noir – the capricious one. Akitu, in the Maori language, means the summit, the apex or the highest point. We called our wine that because at 380 metres above sea level we are right up there, right on the grape growing edge, against the alps and in the southern most winemaking region on earth. Here our entire vineyard is dedicated to Pinot Noir – that’s all we grow – and the very best of our harvest makes Akitu. We strongly believe in two established Pinot viticultural tenets: patience is a virtue and strength comes with adversity. As our vines enter their second decade their resilience is proven and the character that only comes with vine age is becoming more defined. On the 45th parallel ours is a vineyard on the edge – we like that and so do our vines. We strongly believe in two established Pinot viticultural tenets: patience is a virtue and strength comes with adversity.

Full, dark, deep ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, lighter on edge. This has a full and voluminous bouquet with ethereal aromas of ripe black berried fruit, black and violet floral perfumes, along with earthy and mineral elements, all harmoniously entwined with savoury complexities. The aromatics are refined in expression, and unfold to reveal a concentrated heart. Succulently ripe, with a tight core of black cherry and berry fruits integrated with liquorice elements, ethereal violet florals. Very fine-grained tannins provide an elegantly proportioned structure and grip, and the palate is enlivened by fresh, lacy acidity. Subtle and complex nuances of earth and minerals emerge to add detail and the wine leads to a long, succulently sweet, lingering finish.