Akarua `RUA` Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021

This Pinot Noir displays lifted cherry aromas along with lavender, violets and raspberry. The palate is vibrant and concentrated with a red berry fruit character and darker notes of blackberries and black cherries. Soft silken tannins, a bright structural acidity and stony mineral thread linger on the finish.

Grapes were sourced from three Akarua Estate vineyards. The Bannockburn vines are approximately 25 years old and grow at 270 metres above sea level on a north west facing sloping glacial terrace. The vines are planted on alluvial, sandy loam-based soils overlaying schist bedrock. The Pisa vines are planted on a flat and level river terrace created by glacial activity, at an elevation of 205 metres above sea level. Soils here are fine silt loam over schist based alluvial gravels and the vines, aged 28 years. The younger 25 Steps vines, with an average age of 19 years, lie at 200-317 metres above sea level on sandy and stony topsoil with a subsoil mix of deep gravels and clay loams.

After five to seven days of cold soaking, fermentation took place using indigenous yeasts, with 6% of the fruit left as whole bunches. Twice daily punch-downs helped extract both colour and flavour. The wine was given another six to ten days on the skins post-fermentation to provide the tannic backbone it requires. It then spent six months ageing in 100% French oak barriques prior to bottling.