Central Otago "Rua" Pinot Noir 2016, Akarua

This domaine is located in the Bannockburn district and has a full range of sparkling, white, red and sweet wines. The Rua is a pinot produced from younger vines in similar fashion to the likes of the Saddleback from Peregrine and the Roaring Meg from Mt Difficulty. Otago wineries have created this style of wine as they rapidly plant new vineyards and experiment in new locations where they can not be sure of quality. The Rua pinot noir from Akarua is a splendid example of these medium to light bodied early drinking wines. Rhubarb, raspberry and red currant on the nose. This is a bright and fragrant wine with notes of fresh jasmine. Fine fruit, medium to light body and very quaffable. A succession simple little pinot that is easier to drink than Burgundian equivalents (think Hautes-Côtes) which struggle to ripen.