2022 Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir, Bannockburn, New Zealand

Press

Rated 97 Points James Suckling

There is an opulence and intensity here yet it remains fresh and vivid with orange peel and ripe strawberry aromas and flavors. Medium to full body with firm and racy tannins that give it tension and focus. Clear and naked in so many ways giving it a clarity that is appreciated. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. 

Tasting Note
A diverse and complex nose dominated by
polished leather and dark rose. The power on the
palate is seamlessly integrated with the refined
fruit and transparent winemaking. The absence
of intervention is pleasingly obvious as it’s the
noble site that trumps all else for a focused and
elegant mouthfeel. The finish is peppered with
powdery tannins defining the structure. Sure to
be one of the greats.

Introduction
Commencing with meticulous site selection and
vineyard design in 1991, Felton Road's story is one of
refusal to compromise. A strict 100% estate policy with
fully organic and biodynamic viticulture (BioGro and
Demeter certified) ensures that our fruit arrives at the
winery as pure as it can be, while our entire estate
comes as close to true sustainability as is possible. A
commitment to hands off winemaking: gravity flow;
indigenous yeasts and malolactic; an avoidance of
fining and filtration; all help preserve the wine's
expression of its terroir. The result is Riesling,
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which accurately express
the authenticity and complexity of our unique
vineyards.

Gareth King; Viticulturist, Blair Walter; Winemaker,
Nigel Greening; Proprietor.

Vineyard & Viticulture
Felton Road farms four properties totaling 34 ha in the
Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. Block 5 is
situated on a gentle north facing slope in the heart of
The Elms vineyard and was planted in 1993. The soils
vary up the slope from heavy loess and silt, clay lakebed
deposits, and angular schist gravels. Meticulous
summer management of a single vertical shoot
positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit
maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf
plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out
by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops
are planted between rows to assist in vine balance and
to improve soil health and general biodiversity.

Vintage
Early vine development was steady with spring
temperatures being average or slightly below and low
rainfall. Flowering occurred during cool and relatively
wet conditions causing smaller berry size and low
bunch weights. Cooler conditions prevailed
throughout the growing season, in particular March
which was one of the coolest we have experienced.
With the natural moderate to low yields and cool and
extended ripening conditions, flavours were ripe and
concentrated, with good vibrancy and acidity. Block 5
was harvested relatively late from April 7 to 20.

Vinification
20% of the fruit was retained as whole clusters with
the remainder carefully de-stemmed directly to the
fermenters by gravity without harsh pumping. Long
pre-fermentation soaks of 8-9 days prior to
fermentation with indigenous yeasts and punched
down by hand up to two times per day with a total
time on skins of 23 days. Pressed off and barrels filled
immediately by gravity to the underground barrel
cellars. The wine spent 17 months in barrel (30% new
French) with two rackings and no fining or filtration,
before bottling in early-September 2021.