2019 Akitu, A1 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand

The 2019 Pinot Noir A1 is a scented and layered style, offering dark chocolate and dark cherry character with underlying fennel, rose petal and festive spices. This is a mid-weight, reflecting the cooler vintages in its tension and poise. Elegant and supple in the mouth with a corset of tension holding it in focus, the wine's structure builds toward the lengthy and fragrant conclusion. The tannins are very well handled, providing satisfying grip, and, in combination with the fresh acidity, this wine has the structural framework as well as the fruit concentration to evolve from its youthful, current self over the coming decade – maybe more. Who knows? This is only the eighth vintage of this cuvée, so predictions are educated guesswork. 2023-2032. Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous.com

Elegant, supple pinot noir with purity and power. Layers of spice and floral flavours with a suggestion of roasted chestnut and a thread of saline and oyster-shell. Restrained with exciting development potential. Bob Campbell, The Real Review

Considering the heat of this vintage, this has turned out really well. This is taut and aromatic with fresh, vivid cherry and raspberry fruit. The palate has a lovely energy, showing bright, elegant red and black cherry fruit with a silky texture: there’s some finesse and a fine herbal quality sitting under the fruit. There’s a lovely fruit quality here, but it blends so beautifully with the more savoury, structural elements. Very fine. jamie_goode, Wine Anorak

A dense, mineral, terroir-driven Pinot, that’s like a coiled spring at present. There are lots of herbal blackberry and perfumed cherry fruit layers lurking alongside the flinty tones, creamy lees and charred oak, but it is still nervy and nascent. A complex, serious wine that’s full of potential. Drinking window 2022-2032. Tina Gellie, Decanter

The 2019 Pinot Noir A1 is a scented and layered style, offering dark chocolate and dark cherry character with underlying fennel, rose petal and festive spices. This is a mid-weight, reflecting the cooler vintages in its tension and poise. Elegant and supple in the mouth with a corset of tension holding it in focus, the wine's structure builds toward the lengthy and fragrant conclusion. The tannins are very well handled, providing satisfying grip, and, in combination with the fresh acidity, this wine has the structural framework as well as the fruit concentration to evolve from its youthful, current self over the coming decade – maybe more. Who knows? This is only the eighth vintage of this cuvée, so predictions are educated guesswork. antonio_galloni, Vinous.com.com

Pretty nose of sliced mushrooms, cranberries, cherries, dried flowers and pink peppercorns. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and sleek, fine tannins. Crunchy and vibrant. Lovely red fruit and subtle spice. Drink or hold. james_suckling, jamessuckling_com