Felton Road Cornish Pinot Noir 2021
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) ensuring their fruit arrives at the winery as pure as it can be, while their 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.
Felton Road farms four properties totalling 34 ha in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. This wine is from Cornish Point vineyard where the close proximity to Lake Dunstan (surrounded on three sides) creates a unique mesoclimate. Heavy silt soils overlie alluvial gravels interspersed with calcareous seams.
Off to a good start with an intense aroma that is a mix of floral/violet and blackcurrant compote notes. The palate is more complex and very intense with a peacock's tail display of dark cherry, cassis, oriental spices and a whisper of nutty oak. A tangy undercurrent of ripe acidity helps drive a very lengthy finish revealing a wine with real power. Delicious now but will develop well with bottle age. Easy to appreciate. - Bob Campbell, The Real Review, 13 August, 2022, 98 Points
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - New Zealand
Region - Central Otago
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14%
Other - Organic & Biodynamic
Closure - Screw Cap