Akarua is a pioneering Central Otago estate, planted in 1996 at Bannockburn and now owned by Edmond de Rothschild Heritage, which bought the vineyards about a decade after founding Rimapere in Marlborough. Senior winemaker Pete Bartle says the aim is textural wines of finesse, poise and elegance.
Pinot Gris is a small planting here, alongside the estate's Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling. The wine is pale lime yellow in the glass. On the nose it is perfumed, with peach blossom, pear, apricot and elderflower and a touch of caramel.
The palate is dry and medium bodied, with peach, nashi pear, lychee and zesty lemon, a biscuit note, and a delicate minerality. It runs into a long finish with pear at the end.
Poached salmon, seared scallops or a roast pork belly with apple would all suit it. Serve it chilled rather than icy so the perfume comes through.