Awards, Ratings & Reviews
95/100 — Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy · 2022 Vintage · Tasted: Dec 2023
92/100 — CellarTracker · 2022 Vintage
About This Wine
Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir is sourced from Bannockburn in Central Otago, New Zealand. Grapes are sourced from Cornish Point, Calvert and The Elms vineyards.
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 (Demeter certified) ensures that fruit arrives at the winery as pure as possible, while the entire estate operates with a commitment to sustainability.
A hands-off winemaking philosophy is followed through gravity flow handling, wild yeasts, wild malolactic fermentation and an avoidance of fining and filtration to preserve expression of terroir. No additions or adjustments are performed unless absolutely necessary.
Since 2002 the vineyards have been managed organically and biodynamically. In 2010 all four vineyards were awarded full Demeter certification and in 2020 they were also certified by BioGro.
The 2022 growing season followed a moderate winter with normal rainfall. Budburst occurred in late September and flowering in early December. Significant rainfall during January resulted in generally larger berries, while warmer and drier conditions through February and the lead-up to harvest enabled the fruit to ripen successfully.
Producer Notes
A classic Felton Road nose of dark blossoms: rose and violet with a compote of dark fruits.
The mid-palate is just screaming Felton Road. Black cherries and cream on the nose introduced cherry crumble on the palate with baked spices. Very harmonious for a wine so young, but a brooding undertow reveals the intrinsic power of the wine. Four Bannockburn vineyards seamlessly integrating to provide many layers and textures.
Specifications
- Vintage: 2022
- Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
- Region: Bannockburn / Central Otago / New Zealand
- Winemaking: Traditional fermentation with indigenous yeast and malolactic fermentation; 20% whole clusters; not fined or filtered
- Maturation: Oaked
- Production Attributes: Unfiltered · Unfined
- Vineyard / Geo Info: Grapes sourced from Cornish Point, Calvert and The Elms vineyards
- Alcohol: 14%
- Sweetness: Dry
- Vineyard Manager / Viticulturist: Gareth King
- Winemaker: Blair Walter
- Ownership: Nigel Greening
- Closure: Screwcap
- Drinking Window: 2023–2033
