Akitu Central Otago Pinot Noir Blanc 2022

Akitu Central Otago Pinot Noir Blanc 2022Dry style White stone fruit Pink grapefruit Bright acidity "Freshly crushed pinot has been whisked off its red skins lickety split and then made as if it were a white wine and I absolutely love it. Scented with gentle stone fruit, fennel, white pepper and apple notes, it has flirty fresh flavours of citrus, yellow plum and hints of almond and apricot. Its an incredibly complex wine with a lick of mineral and talc, plus it looks so darn pretty and Im a

• Dry style
• White stone fruit
• Pink grapefruit
• Bright acidity

"Freshly crushed pinot has been whisked off its red skins lickety-split and then made as if it were a white wine — and I absolutely love it. Scented with gentle stone fruit, fennel, white pepper and apple notes, it has flirty-fresh flavours of citrus, yellow plum and hints of almond and apricot. It’s an incredibly complex wine with a lick of mineral and talc, plus it looks so darn pretty and I’m a sucker for a stylish package. So the Akitu got my tibias all atingle. Crafted from clone 777 pinot noir, it has supple but powdery tannins, lovely purity and superb tension to finish" Yvonne Lorkin, Feb 2023

"Bright, pale peach shade yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is elegantly fresh with fine talcum over grapefruit, apricot, peach blossom and a spike of white spice. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, peach and apricot lead with pear, pink grapefruit and its zest, unveiling peach blossom, white pepper and cardamom. The wine is concentrated with a great length of aromatics and; a plush mouthfeel intertwined with powdery phenolics and prickly spice. This has a refined and delicate expression of Pinot Noir with minimal skin time, excellent depth of flavour and length with an opulent mouthfeel, and a crisp, spicy finish" Candice Chow, Raymond Chan Reviews, Jan 2023

"Charming and inviting, the wine shows white flesh stone fruit, rockmelon, lemon peel and oatmeal characters on the nose with a hint of spicy overtone. The palate delivers excellent weight and persistency, beautifully framed by creamy texture and bright acidity. Saline mouthfeel and fine chalky tannins add extra layers, finishing wonderfully long and expansive. At its best: now to 2028" Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, Jan 2023

"An enticing fragrant bouquet with scents of lightly spiced white fleshed tree fruits. On the palate a dry wine with a core of white fleshed fruits from pears to nectarines, apples and quince. The spice layer continues with a white pepper quality backed up by acidity and quartz-like mineral flavours. Delicious, refreshing and ready. best drinking from 2023 through 2027+" Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier, Feb 2023

"Whole-bunch pressed and racked to ferment with natural yeasts. Minimal skin contact results in a blush of colour and fine, peppery phenolics. The wine is dry with appealing layers of tree fruits and hazelnut flavours. It has surprising power. Drink 2023-2026" Bob Campbell, Master of Wine, Real Review, Jan 2023

Mid lemon base with a bronze to pewter hue. Ruby grapefruit across gentle stone fruit perfume with mineral and talc - some apple crumble. The faintest waft of cinnamon and yellow flowers gives way to a touch of autumnal leaves, peach and nectarine with a hint of almond and brioche. The silky yet textural entry leads powerful stone fruit and spicy apple, a hint of anise adding complexity. Supple but powdery tannins with a chalky carry give line and length. Gently zippy almost umami like but with a plush core of Rainer cherries. The palate line has a distant horizon setting persistence, with rose petals falling through the line of sight that just keeps going. One of life’s great lessons is to never waste a sunset, and you get a beautiful one here.

This wine is all about the fruit profile, which holds a purity and definition in a unique manifestation. 100% 777 clone Pinot Noir, whole bunch pressed, cold settled and racked cloudy to ferment with a neutral yeast strain before extended lees contact to build texture. In essence the winemaking is straightforward and the vineyard is the hero here.

Food Pairing: Start with some Sashimi, move onto Takoyaki and Tempura Prawns before a big bowl of Udon Noodles with some spice. If you have finished the bottle, get another, and break out the Hibachi with some Wagyu, this wine will bring it to life.