Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2022 750ml
The Wine Advocate | RP 92
Published: Dec 14, 2023
The 2022 Bannockburn Pinot Noir is a blend of the four vineyards: Cornish Point, MacMuir, Block 3 and Block 5. It leads with violets, cherry blossom, pomegranate pearls, star anise and cracked fennel seeds. In the mouth, the wine is supple and spicy, with lashings of fruit flavor and a balancing splay of tannins through the mid-palate and finish. Nicely handled wine, satisfying and supple. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink Date: 2023 - 2033
Winemaker
Bramble, autumnal forest after rain and bright berry fruits lead the nose. Sweet fruit on the entry coats the mouth; immediately expansive and alluring.
Incredibly balanced and harmonious with the fruit depth defining the immediate pleasure, but without the wine falling victim to being 'fruit driven'. Silk laden tannins complete the mouthfeel and demonstrate an apparent boundless capacity to develop nuance and complexity. The harmony undoubtedly comes from the calibre of our four primely situated and respectfully farmed Bannockburn vineyards.
Introduction
Beginning with meticulous site selection and vineyard design started 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, wild yeasts, wild malo, 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 totalling 32 ha in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. This wine is a blend from our four vineyards; Cornish Point, Calvert, MacMuir and The Elms. 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.