In preparation for the content of the World of Wine Summer edition - due out later this month - I was honored and privileged to taste through some incredible wines from the Akitu library. Thank Andrew Donaldson for the opportunity. Some library wines may still be available through the Akitu website.

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A12013 Central Otago - Complex and seductive bouquet with aromas of sweet red berries, toasty wood with Asian spice then vanilla. Textures on the palate drive the attack contrasted and tempered by a core of dark cherry and baked raspberry flavours. Cinnamon and brown spices, toasty wood, firm chalky tannins and youthful acid seam complete the palate. Drinking young, well made and lengthy. Best from today and through 2027+. 95 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A1 2014 Central Otago - A complex yet developing bouquet with aromas of fresh and dried berries, mushroom, english tea, vanilla and clove scents from barrel. Equally complex on the palate with flavours that mirror the nose. Wild dried herbs and a rocky mineral seam add depth. Chalky tannins and medium+ acidity add structure and length. Well made, needs to open up in glass so please allow this to happen. Great drinking from today and through 2025+. 94 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A1 2015 Central Otago - Bottle development and integration showcases a wine with a seductive floral and red cherry core, old roses, fallen leaves and sweet fragrant spices then sweet oak. Lovely on the palate with a complex seductive core of flavours. Fine chalky tannins are abundant, acidity keeps the palate fresh and fruit flavours mirror the nose. Well-made and lengthy. Perfect drinking from today and through 2025. 94 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A1 2016 Central Otago - Steely red fruits and flowers, red cherries, ripe raspberry, some red apple, fragrant oak spices and wild mushroom scents. A lovely core of fruit on the palate with a mix of red berries and spices, firm tannins and plenty of acidity. Lengthy finish. A wine still developing and integrating needing excellent food or some more cellar time. Well made and lengthy. Best from 2022 through 2030. 94 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A1 2017 Central Otago - Immediately intriguing bouquet with aromas of sweet oak and forest flowers, wild berries and cherry, a moment of green tea and dried herbs then stony minerality. Complex, fruity and dry on the palate with flavours that reflect the nose. Firm tannins remind this wine is still young, but the core of fruit and sweet oak and toasty wood make it immediately approachable today. Fine dusty texture on the lengthy finish. Best from 2022 through 2030. 95 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A1 2018 Central Otago - Fresh, youthful and fruit centric bouquet with aromas of fresh raspberry and dark cherry, sweet oak and spices to match a toasty barrel scent. Youthful and quietly complex. Tense, youthful and dry on the palate with a firm youthful texture, chalky tannins and ripe almost sweet acid line. Flavours of fruits and spices reflect the nose. Length youthful finish, well made and ready to enjoy from today and through 2028. 95 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A2 2013 Central Otago - Fragrant, varietal and fruity with a core of dark red cherry, plum and a savoury dried herb layer. Spicy, toasty wood layer with aromas of dark baking spices. Complex, steely, youthful and enticing. Flavours on the palate mirror the nose with a cherry, raspberry, plum and cola note. Dried herbs, bay leaf and thyme then oak spices. Firm tannins and medium+ acidity. Still a youthful wine with a lovely long finish. best from today and through 2023+. 93 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A2 2014 Central Otago - Complex, and still very youthful on the nose, closed and tense with aromas of wild red berries and forest flowers, raspberry and plum then dried herb and toasty wood spices at the core. Tense, savoury and dry on the palate with firm tannins and medium+ acidity. Tightly coiled mid palate needing some time to completely harmonise. Fruit flavours do emerge with spicy plum and dark cherry flavours. Plenty of spice and drive. Best with food and likely ready from 2022 through 2028+. 91 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A2 2015 Central Otago - An integrated, floral, and fruity core with aromas of fresh and dried red berries, leather and mushroom. Oak spices showcase cinnamon and vanilla. Integration is confirmed on the palate - though there is some youthful tension still from the tannins and acidity. Fruits repeat as dried berries, preserved cherry and plum. Well made, ready and best from today and through 2025. 92 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A2 2016 Central Otago - Fragrant, bright, youthful and alluring aromas of dark red berries with cherry and raspberry leading. A savoury dried herb layer along with a core of stony minerality - locks in the sense of place and time. A youthful wine on the palate - dry, tense, fruity and savoury. Firm chalky tannins and medium+ acidity then fruit flavours that mirror the nose. Tense and youthful needing more cellar time. Well made, lengthy and delicious! Good drinking now, but even better from 2022 through 2028+. 94 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A2 2017 Central Otago - The core of fruit is immediate and drives the bouquet with aromas of dark berries, plum and forest spices, sweet toasty French barrel and a crushed rock minerality. Fabulous on the palate with flavours that mirror the nose. Spicy wood, firm chalky tannins, dried herb and wild flowers. Lengthy finish. Still young and needs your cellar. Ready from 2022 through 2030+. 95 Points

Akitu Wines Pinot Noir A2 2018 Central Otago - A core of ripe red cherry and dried raspberry then some plum and mountain thyme savoury scents. An enticing complexity. Very youthful on the palate with a tense and taut structure from firm tannins with a chalky, grainy drive. Plenty of acidity then flavours of fresh berries and sweet wood spices. Youthful still requiring the perfect food match or cellar time. Best from 2022 through 2030+. 94 Points

Tasted and Rated - Akitu A1 and A2 Verticals