Akarua Pinot Noir 2022

Akarua Pinot Noir has a medium to dark purple with ruby pink hues.

The nose reveals a fragrant sweet dark berry, blueberry, spice, mushroom, and a hint of leather.

The palate is full bodied with sweet dark cherries, spice, dries herb and smoky oak. Concentrated with bright acidity, silky fine texture and a very long mineral finish.

This wine has an excellent ageing potential of over 10 years (2032+).

Region: Central Otago Sub Region: Bannockburn VINEYARDS Cairnmuir Vineyard 80% Kawarau, Clutha, Southview, Cairnmuir Rise Clones: 5,6,13, 115; varying rootstocks Aspect: north/north west sloping elevated glacial terrace Row orientation: east/west Soil: weakly structured light alluvial soils overlaying schist rock Elevation: 270m Vine age: 22 years Trellis system & pruning: VSP, spur

Felton Rd Vineyard 20% Kofiua, Kolo Clones: 5,777,667,115,113; varying rootstocks Aspect: north west Row orientation: east/west Soil: Young alluvial, schist based sandy silt and loams overlaying schist rock Elevation: 240m Vine age: 22 years Trellis system & pruning: VSP, spur

WINEMAKING : Carefully hand harvested grapes were batch fermented. Mostly destemmed with two batches with a small portion of whole cluster component. Fermented on skins for around three weeks. The resulting wine was gently pressed to French oak barrels for maturation. AGEING : In French barrels, including 20% new barrels, medium-plus toast, from the Alliers and the Vosges forests. AGEING DURATION : 9 months

VINIFICATION Whole bunch fermentation: 11% Pre-ferment maceration: 5 days Yeast: 50% wild Fermentation heat: Peaked at 31°C Punch-downs: Twice daily Post fermentation maceration: 6 days Oak treatment: 11 months in 29% new French barriques, medium-plus toast, mostly Alliers & Vosges forests

Carefully hand harvested grapes were batch fermented. Mostly destemmed with two batches with a small portion of whole cluster component. Fermented on skins for around three weeks. The resulting wine was gently pressed to French oak barrels for maturation. Aging: French Oak Barrels. 20% new Aging Duration: Nine months.