Akarua Pinot Noir

Tasting Note

VARIETY

100% Pinot Noir

REGION

Region: Central Otago
Sub-region: Bannockburn (Cairnmuir)

VINEYARD

Akarua Estate Vineyard

Vineyard block(s): Kawarau13, 10/5, Clutha 5 and Southview (mixed clones).
Aspect: North/West
Vine orientation: East/West
Height above sea level: 270m
Soil: Young alluvial, schist based sandy/silt and sandy loams overlaying schist rock.
Vine age: 14 years
Trellis System: 2 cane VSP
Canopy Management: shoot thinned, hand leaf plucked and crop thinned.

VINTAGE 2011

Picking date(s): Blocks harvested at optimum ripeness 29/3 - 11/4 2011
Grower Degree Days: 1045 GDD. Warm spring and a moderate summer followed by an autumn with a good diurnal temperature range for flavour development.
Rain mls: 211mm for Sept-April growing season.

VINIFICATION

Whole bunch fermentation: Nil
Pre-ferment maceration: 5 days
Yeast: Inoculated – various strains
Fermentation heat: Peaked at 31°
Punch-downs: Twice daily
Oak treatment: 10 months in 30% new French barriques, medium-plus toast, various coopers, mostly Alliers & Vosges forests.

APPEARANCE

Deep red / bright / ruby.

STYLE

Displays intense black fruit flavours and the complexity that Bannockburn Pinot Noir is renowned for.

BOUQUET

Haunting aromatics of floral and spice.

PALATE

The palate is beautifully poised, complex and shows excellent fruit weight supported by fine tannins. A slightly cooler year has produced a wine with a "burgundian framework" but a Bannockburn soul.

CELLARING

3-5 years.

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Viticulturist: Gillian Wilson
Winemaker: Matt Connell
Bottled: Feb 2012
Brix at Harvest: 22-24
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Residual Sugar: n/a
Titratable Acidity: 6.7
pH: 3.6