Akaroa Harbour Chardonnay 2004
A lively well balanced wine. Ripe fruit from the Sunnybrae Vineyard was whole bunch pressed and then tank fermented cool to maximise its vibrant fruit flavours. Seasoned French oak adds a further dimension. This wine exhibits aromas of ripe tropical fruits with strong stonefruit and citris characters. It has a good palate weight and a fresh, crisp thread of acidity with a long lingering finish.
Akaroa Harbour Merlot 2004
Ripe healthy grapes were destemmed into small open top fermenters, hand plunged and with daily juice pump over for colour and tannin extraction. It is a vibrant, highly perfumed wine with aromas of current, dark plum and a leafy savoury note. Left in the glass a while, the aroma develops to more complex aromas of fruit and oak, indicating some cellaring potential. The palate shows plenty of berry flavours together with some mint and eucalypt characters. Mid weight tannins provide some grip to the mouth feel, helping to lengthen the finish. Ten months in oak but it never dominates, only backing the more obvious fruit. This is a delicate and structured style of Merlot.
Akaroa Harbour Pinot Noir 2004
Grapes were crushed and destemmed into small open top vats where fermentation took place. The vats were hand plunged four times a day to immerse the ‘cap’ of skins in the fermenting juice to aid the colour and tannin development. Following fermentation the free run wine was racked out of the vat and the skins were pressed. The resulting wine was then blended and transferred to French oak barriques for a period of ten months maturation where it also underwent a secondary Malolactic fermentation before filtration and bottling.
A lovely light bodied wine in the style of the Village Pinot or Petit Pinot - it has subtle strawberry upfront and forest floor in the mid and back palates. Very easy drinking, this wine is ideal with a light pasta and salad, shell fish and other delicate flavoured foods. It is one of the rare red wines that can be chilled slightly for the long lunch or afternoon in the sun with good friends.
Akaroa Harbour Chardonnay 2005
- Bronze Medal New Zealand International Wine Show 2005
Mendoza Chardonnay vines were planted in 1992 and have consistently produced wines of exceptional quality. Full flavoured with lingering influences of oak – barrel fermented. Vineyard soils influence wine flavours and the rich volcanic soils of Akaroa Harbour are well reflected in this Chardonnay. Intense, bold, fruity and refreshing. A wine to enjoy now and with good cellaring potential. A uniquely Akaroa product found nowhere else in the world.
Akaroa Harbour Riesling 2006 (Dry)
- Silver Medal Royal Agricultural Society International Aromatic Wine Show 2006
- Silver Medal New Zealand International Aromatic Wine Show 2006
The hand harvested fruit was gently whole bunch pressed and tank fermented cool to retain those pure fruit flavours. This Riesling is exciting and interesting. It is a dryer style of Riesling with citrus flavours, crisp but without a share “acid” sensation. This wine has a pleasant full taste on the palate.
Akaroa Harbour Spatlese Riesling 2006 (Medium)
- Silver Medal Royal Agricultural Society International Aromatic Wine Show 2006
- Silver Medal New Zealand International Aromatic Wine Show 2006
This wine is best described by the winemaker as a Spatlese type Riesling. This wine has intense flavours and the aromas of lemons and limes with an underlying minerally complexity. Intense citrus fruit flavours with an exquisite balance of natural grape sugar and acidity make this an exquisitely balanced wine to enjoy and recall with delight. Simply stunning!
Akaroa Harbour Rosé 2006
Merlot grapes grown and hand harvested at Sunnybrae Vineyard were left ‘on their skins’ for only a few days to give this Summer Wine its pale, vibrant, rose colour. Akaroa Harbour Rosé 2006 reflects Merlot characteristics of ripe berry flavours, sweet yet subtle and delightfully refreshing on a sunny day.
This is a serious, dry style Rosé. Packed with red fruit delights, think raspberry, red currant and mulberry. Mouth filling, soft and delicious with a dry finish. Serve chilled with summer style foods – picnics, barbeques and summer evening dining with family and friends.