Bob Campbell 97 points!
Ralph Kyte-Powell 95 points!
"This wine is taken from Block 3 of Elms vineyard where a deep bench of glacial soil is interspersed with calcarious seams.
Every characteristic of this wine is pure Block 3; the crushed herbs are there, dancing with eastern spices and leather; the haunting raspberry purity of the front palate; the way the wine swells in the mouth; then the chocolate finish kicks in and simply refuses to leave. Precision reigns supreme throughout, allowing each phase to be explored and enjoyed."
Felton Road
Please note there is a strict limit of 3 bottles per customer.
'Exciting 2012 vintage means the vines are 20-years-old now', beams winemaker Blair Walter, 'there would probably be less than 20 hectares of vines in Central Otago that would be this age, but that is about it'.
This wine gets the highest portion of new oak, 45% new in this case, 'we think the wine can absorb it, older vines, deeper fruit character, touch more tannins'. Block 3 is on heavy soils on a windblown slope where the winery is found in Bannockburn, 'interesting soil and lovely small bunches and small berries', qualifies Walter. Block 3 was one of the first sites to be converted to full biodynamic viticulture too.
Earth, wet slate and black cherry aromas. A warm, gently spice bouquet heading into broody territory, but florals keep it perky. Glorious texture and freshness of fruit are the highlights " though showing great concentration and power with plushness, the wine is trimmed with very fine tannin, squeaky acidity, a touch up of cedary oak with smooth, velvety contours of fruit. Long, medium bodied feel and finishes with prickly spice and a touch of earthiness. Yes, it's a richer and riper expression of pinot noir, but everything is tucked in and drinkability is very high. I suspect cellaring will reward too. So much going on in this wine.
Mike Bennie, Wine Front, 19th July 2013.
Bob Campbell 97 points!Beautifully perfumed pinot noir that displays an array of flavours including plum, raspberry, wild herbs, mineral, and savoury/nutty/spicy characters that are indefinable. Elegant wine with a firm structure. Pinot noir made for the long haul - I felt slightly guilty unscrewing the cap after little more than a year since the grapes were harvested. A recent vertical tasting of Block 3 Pinot Noir covering nearly a decade demonstrated just how well the wine performs with bottle age.
Bob Campbell, GT Wine Oct/Nov 2013.
Ralph Kyte-Powell 95 points!Felton Road's 20-year-old vines are among Central Otago's oldest. This elegant young pinot makes the best of them. Plum and dark cherry fruit, forest, cedar and spicy complexities mark a silky, intense, gentle wine of perfect balance.
The Age Epicure, 29th Oct 2013.
Organic
Biodynamic
Vegan-friendly
Sustainably-made
Country:
New Zealand
Region:
NZ- Central Otago
Variety:
Wine Red - Pinot noir
Size:
750mL
