Akarua 2015 and Rua 2016 Central Otago Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Akarua ‘Rua’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 01-Oct-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is gently full and up-front with aromas of ripe, dark-red cherry and raspberries along with harmoniously integrated notes of dark herbs and red florals. Medium-full bodied the palate is even in expression with gentle, mouthfilling flavours of dark-red cherries and raspberries with subtle notes of plums. Notes of dark herbs, earth and liquorice show, unfolding red florals. The fruit is underlined by supple, balanced tannin extraction with integrated acidity. The flavours carry smoothly to a lingering finish of dark red fruits with herb and earth suggestions. This is a harmoniously balanced, up-front Pinot Noir with dark cherry and raspberry fruit and subtle herb notes on a supple, light-textured palate. Serve with pasta, poultry and pork dishes over the next 3+ years. Central Otago fruit fully destemmed and fermented partially with indigenous yeasts to 14.0% alc. the wine aged 6 months in 10% new French oak. 17.0+/20 Oct 2017 RRP $ 25.00 Bright, even, ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues, lighter on the rim. The nose elegantly presented with fresh, bright primary dark-red cherry and raspberry fruit aromas, along with lifted red floral notes and subtle whole berry fermentation confectionary perfumes, unfolding a layer of thyme herbs. Medium-full bodied, the palate features bright, up-front, lively primary and aromatic fruit flavours of cherries and raspberries, with lifted florals and confectionary detail. The palate balances juicy fruit with fine, grainy tannin structure, with fresh lacy acidity providing energy and vibrancy. The wine carries to a long and sustained, slender finish of bright cherry and raspberry fruit. This is an up-front, vibrant, primary-fruited Pinot Noir with cherry and raspberry flavours on a balanced, dry, grainy-textured palate. Match with antipasto, poultry and pork over the next 3+ years. Central Otago fruit fully destemmed and fermented partially with indigenous yeasts to 14.0% alc. the wine aged 6 months in 10% new French oak. 16.5+/20 Mar 2017 RRP $25.00
• Akarua Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 13-Mar-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even ruby-red colour with some depth and light garnet hues on the edge. The nose is elegant and well-proportioned with fragrant red berry and cherry fruit with complexing notes of red florals and thyme and savoury dried herbs. The nose builds in intensity with aeration. Medium=full bodied, the palate is fine in presentation with a concentrated core of sweet dark cherry and red berry fruit flavours, along with notes of thyme, dried herbs and spicy oak. The fruit is supported by fine, grainy tannin extraction and structure, with balanced, refresh, lacy acidity forming a rich core. The wine carries to a long, lingering finish of cherries, raspberries, spices and herbs. This is an elegant, concentrated Pinot Noir with dark cherry and berry fruit with herb and spicy oak layers on a fine, grainy structured palate. Match with pork, lamb, beef and venison over the next 5-6 years. Multi-clone blend from the ‘Cairnmuir and Felton Road vineyards, fully destemmed and fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 30% new French oak barriques. 18.5/20 Mar 2017 RRP $43.00