Akarua Pinot Rouge
Tasting Note
REGION
Region: Central Otago
Sub Region: Bannockburn
VINEYARDs
Felton Terraces 51%
Kolo
Clones: 777
Aspect: north west
Row orientation: north/south
Soil: Young alluvial, schist based sandy silt and loams
Elevation: 240m
Vine age: 23 years
Trellis system & pruning: VSP, spur
Cairnmuir Vineyard 49%
Lakeview
Clones: 777
Aspect: West-sloping elevated glacial terrace
Row orientation: east/west
Soil: weakly structured light alluvial soils overlaying schist rock
Elevation: 270m
Vine age: 23 years
Trellis system & pruning: VSP, spur
VINTAGE
Growing conditions: Characteristically unpredictable Central Otago growing conditions bookended by frost events. Overall, a cool, settled season with good rainfall resulting in long, gentle development of flavour and physiological ripeness. Budburst, flowering and fruit set all right on schedule this year for our cool climate region.
Grower Degree Days: 1,100 GDD
Rainfall: 426 ml Oct-April
VINIFICATION
Whole bunch fermentation: 15%
Fermentation vessel: stainless steel
Pre-ferment maceration: 5 days
Yeast: wild
Post-ferment maceration: 5 days
Oak treatment: None
Unfined, vegan
TASTING NOTE
Heady perfume of wild raspberries, crunchy red cherries, crushed rose petals and fresh spices. The palate is densely juicy and framed with gentle stem tannins. Bright, easy and flowing with stony mineral finish.
Winemaker’s Notes:
“This is our second release of Pinot Rouge, an early bottling in a traditional ‘nouveau’ style. It is terrific to see so clearly, the flavours of two of our oldest and most favourite vineyards without the overlay of extended oak ageing and complex winemaking. We like to enjoy it at ‘cellar temp’ – about 12C shows off the juiciness of this wine perfectly.”
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
Vineyard Mgr: Mark Naismith
Winemaker: Josh Lee
Bottled: 27th June 2019
Brix at Harvest: 22.5
Date of Harvest: 31st Mar/2nd April
Alcohol: 13.5%
PH: 3.71
Titratable Acidity: 5.3

Akarua
2019 Pinot Rouge