The vines of Felton Road winery are located in Bannockburn, Central Otago in New Zealand. This is one of the most magical places to grow grapes especially Pinot Noir and the wines from Felton Road are some of the very best Pinot Noir in the world. According to wine legend Robert Parker, “Felton Roads Pinot Noirs are break through efforts … and compete with the finest wines being made in California, Oregon and Burgundy”.
We recently had the opportunity to taste the current release of the Felton Road Block 5.
Block 5 Pinot Noir – 2021
The vines of Block 5 were planted in 1993 on a gentle north facing block, soils range from clay and silt to schist gravels. A wetter than usual December led into a warm February and the harvest in late March / early April. The wine was made with 20% whole bunch fruit, 23 days on skins and 16 months in barrel (30% new French). Bottling was September 2022.
This is a serious wine, with marvellous complexity and depth of flavours. With hints of black cherry and spicy leather it is delicate with a wonderful sustained length that dances on the palate rewarding you at each sip.
Reviews and Awards
98/100 Points – Almanak
97/100 Points – James Suckling – Jamessuckling.com
97/100 Points – Anne Krebiehl MW – Decanter
94/100 Points – Mike Bennie – The Wine Front
Grape | Pinot Noir (100%)
ABV | 13%
Price | $135
LINKS
https://feltonroad.com/assets/Wine/2021/Tasting-Notes/2021-Felton-Road-Pinot-Noir-Block-5.pdf