Akitu A1 Pinot Noir 2016

From Wanaka in Central Otago – delivered in the beautiful Flexi-Hex packaging, and with an art-school black and white label – the wine smells as good in the glass as the bottle looks. Perfumed exotically with star anise, sandalwood, green peppercorn, rosehip, dark cherry, elderberry and damson. Deep, dark and full bodied, singing with bright acidity. Firm and tight through the front, but rich and concentrated into the dark-fruited palate. Savoury, mineral and herbal. Lemon thyme, dry autumn leaves, bay leaf, quartz stones. Tannin is still slightly chewy with a tang of black tea – this still has a few years to go to its peak. Excellent sense of varietal type and regional personality. 95pts.