Akarua, Central Otago, Pinot Noir 2023

Expressive and fragrant showing pretty florals, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, thyme, spice and charry oak. The palate is sweet on entry with dark cherry, black Doris plum, blackberry, red currant, mushroom and dark chocolate.

Medium bodied, concentrated, finely balanced and very complex. Velvety silky fine tannin that leads into a very long mineral and plum finish.

Michael Cooper (2024): ★★★★★ – “Top-tier expression with richness and structure.”

Bob Campbell (2023): 94/100 – “Silky, layered Pinot with excellent complexity and length.”

Perfect with duck confit, wild mushroom risotto, or soft-rind cheeses like Brie or Camembert.

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In Māori, ‘Akarua’ means two vines—Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—first planted in 1996 by Sir Clifford Skeggs. Today, Pinot Noir dominates the estate, alongside small parcels of Pinot Gris and Riesling.

Now under the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage group, Akarua’s ambition is to craft New Zealand’s finest single-estate Pinot Noir—combining local Central Otago talent with global expertise to deliver elegant, world-class cuvées.