Raymond Chan Wine Reviews
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Akitu 2013 Central Otago ‘A1’ and ‘A2’ Pinot Noir
Akitu is the wine brand of Hawkesbury Estates in Central Otago. ‘Akitu’ means apex, summit or the highest point in Maori. Hawkesbury Estates is the wine venture of Andrew Donaldson who established 12ha of vines on Maxwell Road, Mt Barker, near Wanaka, planting 45,000 Pinot Noir vines over 6 clones and 2 rootstocks in 2002 and 2003. Andrew, a Central Otago man now in the U.K. is assisted by his brother Scott, with Steve Blackmore as vineyard manager, Dr Dave Jordan as consultant and PJ Charteris as the consultant winemaker. The wines are made at the Maude facility in Wanaka, with the first vintage released in 2012. The 2013 vintage has already seen success, the more accessible ‘A2’ wine winning gold at the ANZWA 2014. www.akitu.co.nz
Akitu ‘A1’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Full, dark, deep ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues, a little lighter on edge. This has a full, voluminous nose with stylishly restrained aromas of ripe black berry and cherry fruit and dark red plums, along with lifted violet florals and nuances of esters and complexing thyme herb, mineral and nutty oak elements. The aromatics ate harmoniously balanced and integrated. Medium-full bodied, the palate is full and deeply concentrated with a core of ripe black berry and cherry fruit, with black plum flavours. Subtle layers of herbs and florals gently unfold. The mouthfeel is integrated with the sweet and lively fruit balanced by fine-grained tannins and excellent acid poise and tension. The wine has cut and energy and is carried to a well-proportioned, very long, lingering finish of cherries, plums and herbs. This is a finely concentrate, sweetly ripe, black-fruited Pinot Noir with refined structure and vibrancy. Match with lamb, beef and venison over the next 6-8 years. Approx. 75% Abel clone, 15% clone 5, 8% 115 and 2% 667, fermented with 20% whole bunches to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 18% new French oak.
18.5/20 May 2015 RRP $47.50
Akitu ‘A2’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Full, dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour, youthful in appearance. The nose is full with ripe, plush dark red and black berried fruit and plum aromas lifted by floral fragrances and a suggestion of esters. The aromatics grow in intensity with aeration, revealing subtle, fresh thyme herb notes. Medium-full bodied, the palate features lusciously sweet fruit flavours of black cherries, berries and plums along with fresh herbal elements. The mouthfeel is bright and lively with fresh acidity enlivening the fruit, providing good energy and vitality. The wine is elegantly proportioned and follows a fine-grained tannin line that carries to a long, lingering red and black fruited finish. This is a fresh, lively, sweet, black-fruited Pinot Noir with a fine tannin line. Serve with poultry and pork dishes and Asian fare over the next 5-6 years. Approx. 60% clone 115, 15% each of clone 5 and Abel, and 5% 667, fermented with 16% whole bunches to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 5% new French oak.
18.0/20 May 2015 RRP $29.99
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