Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019

Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019

 

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Felton Road
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019
  • Vintage : 2019
  • Country : New Zealand
  • Region : Central Otago
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Fruity Medium Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Pinot Noir

Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019 is a striking example of Central Otago’s renowned Pinot Noirs, with a level of complexity that exceeds its village-level designation. The 2019 vintage blends fruit from four of Felton Road’s top vineyards, delivering a wine of remarkable poise and depth.

Experts Score Vintage
BC Bob Campbell MW 96 2019
JS James Suckling 96 2019
WS Wine Spectator 94 2019
RP Robert Parker 92 2019
WE Wine Enthusiast 92 2019
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 90 2019
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

Felton Road is located in Bannockburn, a sub-region of Central Otago, New Zealand’s premier region for Pinot Noir. Bannockburn has a dry, continental climate with large diurnal temperature shifts, creating ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir with both ripeness and elegance. The vineyards are planted on the Bendigo Terraces, where soils are primarily schist, gravel, and clay, which contribute to the wine’s minerality and structure.

This wine is a blend of fruit from four estate vineyards: Cornish Point, Calvert, MacMuir, and The Elms. These vineyards benefit from meticulous biodynamic practices, certified organic by BioGro and Demeter, ensuring that the fruit is of the highest quality. Vine management techniques include shoot thinning, canopy management, and hand-harvesting, which further ensures the balance and purity of the fruit.

Winemaking

Felton Road adheres to a philosophy of hands-off winemaking to allow the terroir to shine. The 2019 Pinot Noir was vinified using wild yeasts for both primary and malolactic fermentations, a process that preserves the natural flavors and complexity of the wine. Fermentation occurs in open-top fermenters, with regular hand plunging to gently extract color and tannins.

Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with approximately 30% new oak, for 11 months. The wine is neither fined nor filtered before bottling, which maintains its texture and natural vibrancy. The blend of vineyards provides depth, structure, and balance, with each site contributing unique characteristics.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Medium ruby with vibrant clarity.
  • Aroma: The nose offers dark raspberry and plum, complemented by subtle herbal notes and hints of cedar. There are underlying earthy tones and hints of spice, such as cinnamon and clove.
  • Palate: On the palate, the wine is rich and full-bodied, showing excellent concentration of red and black fruits. There’s an attractive savory element that intertwines with fine-grained tannins, providing structure without harshness. A touch of cedar adds complexity, while the finish is long, with refreshing acidity and lingering fruit flavors.

Did you know?

Felton Road is renowned for its commitment to biodynamic viticulture. This not only enhances soil health but also encourages biodiversity within the vineyard ecosystem. The estate has become a leader in sustainable winemaking, a philosophy that drives both the quality and environmental impact of its wines.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Duck confit: The richness of the duck pairs beautifully with the wine's savory and fruity character, while the acidity cuts through the fat.
  • Mushroom risotto: The earthy notes in the Pinot Noir complement the umami flavors of the mushrooms, creating a harmonious pairing.
  • Roast lamb with herbs: The savory elements of the wine echo the flavors of lamb and herbs like rosemary and thyme, providing a balanced and elegant pairing.
  • Salmon with a red wine reduction: Pinot Noir is a classic pairing with salmon, and the wine's bright acidity balances the richness of the fish.

History of Felton Road Estate

Felton Road was established in 1991, with the first vines planted by Stewart Elms, a local viticulture pioneer. The estate was founded on the belief that the unique soils and climate of Central Otago were perfectly suited for producing wines of distinction, particularly Pinot Noir. In 2000, the estate was purchased by Nigel Greening, a passionate wine lover from England, who has been instrumental in shaping Felton Road’s vision and commitment to sustainability.

From the outset, Felton Road’s winemaking philosophy has been based on minimal intervention and respect for the land. Blair Walter, the estate’s winemaker since 1996, has played a crucial role in the estate’s rise to prominence. Walter’s approach emphasizes purity of fruit, and under his leadership, Felton Road has become known for its wines that express the authenticity and complexity of the vineyards.

A significant milestone in the estate’s history came in 2002, when Felton Road fully converted to biodynamic farming, becoming certified by BioGro and Demeter. This shift to biodynamic practices has allowed the estate to improve soil health and vine vitality, resulting in wines that more accurately reflect their terroir.

Region and Vineyards

Felton Road is located in Central Otago, the southernmost wine region in the world, known for its cool climate and ability to produce exceptional Pinot Noir. The estate is specifically in the Bannockburn sub-region, which is characterized by a continental climate—warm summers, cold winters, and significant diurnal temperature variations. These conditions help retain the natural acidity of the grapes while allowing them to ripen fully, resulting in wines that are both vibrant and complex.

Felton Road farms four estate vineyards, covering 34 hectares in total. Each vineyard is meticulously managed to allow the unique characteristics of the site to shine through in the wines:

  • The Elms Vineyard: This is the home of Felton Road and contains the iconic Block 3 and Block 5 sites. Situated on gentle north-facing slopes, The Elms Vineyard has deep silt soils with calcareous seams, contributing to the distinctive minerality and structure found in these wines. Block 3 wines are known for their elegance, while Block 5 produces more powerful, structured wines.

  • Cornish Point Vineyard: Located close to a body of water, this vineyard benefits from a unique mesoclimate, which moderates temperature extremes. The result is a vineyard that produces fruit with intense concentration and ripe tannins, which are evident in Felton Road’s Cornish Point Pinot Noir.

  • Calvert Vineyard: Known for producing wines with fine tannins and floral characteristics, the Calvert Vineyard has deep, fertile silt soils and is located just 1 km from The Elms. The vineyard is also part of a collaboration between Felton Road, Carrick, and Pisa Range Estate, with each producer crafting a single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Calvert’s fruit.

  • MacMuir Vineyard: The newest addition to Felton Road’s portfolio, this vineyard brings additional complexity and diversity to the estate’s wines.

Biodynamic Viticulture

Felton Road’s commitment to biodynamic farming has been fundamental to its success. Certified by BioGro and Demeter, the estate avoids synthetic chemicals and instead uses natural preparations to enhance vine health and promote biodiversity. Techniques such as cover cropping and composting are used to maintain soil fertility, while all vineyard tasks, including hand-harvesting, shoot thinning, and leaf plucking, are performed with meticulous care to ensure the highest quality fruit.

Terroir and Soils

The diversity of soil types across the vineyards plays a critical role in defining the style of Felton Road’s wines. The silt and loess soils of The Elms and Calvert vineyards provide excellent drainage and impart a distinctive mineral character to the wines. In contrast, the schist and gravel soils of Cornish Point contribute to the boldness and concentration of the fruit. This combination of soil diversity and ideal growing conditions allows Felton Road to produce wines that are both expressive and age-worthy.

Wine Range

Felton Road produces a focused range of wines, specializing in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling. All the wines are estate-grown, and the winemaking process emphasizes minimal intervention to let the vineyard’s unique characteristics shine through.

  • Pinot Noir: Felton Road’s Pinot Noir wines are among the most acclaimed in New Zealand. The estate produces several single-vineyard expressions, including the highly sought-after Block 3, Block 5, Calvert, and Cornish Point Pinot Noirs. These wines are known for their balance of power and finesse, as well as their ability to age gracefully.

  • Chardonnay: Felton Road’s Chardonnay is also highly regarded, particularly the Block 2 Chardonnay, which showcases the minerality and purity of fruit that the estate’s cool-climate vineyards can achieve.

  • Riesling: The estate produces both dry and sweet Rieslings, which are known for their precision and vibrant acidity. These wines have garnered a reputation for their ability to express the purity of Central Otago’s cool-climate terroir.

Did You Know?

Felton Road is part of the Grand Cru Alliance, a prestigious group of biodynamic wineries that includes some of the most respected estates from Burgundy and other top regions around the world. This alliance underscores Felton Road’s standing as one of the leading biodynamic wineries globally.

Bob Campbell MW (BC) : 96 Points (2019)
Attractive aroma with floral and berry notes that repeat on the palate and are joined by ripe stems, dried herb and spicy oak flavours. Quite a firmly-structured pinot with peppery tannins and obvious cellaring potential. Good intensity and a lingering finish. A distinctive wine with a character all of its own. *#3 Top Central Otago Pinot Noir of 2019* (7/2020)

James Suckling (JS) : 96 Points (2019)
A rich and rather decadent nose of ripe strawberry, smoke and grilled meat follows through to a full body with layers of ripe tannins and a juicy, succulent finish. Just a hint of grilled orange to the bacon. Drink now or hold.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 94 Points (2019)
Generous and juicy wild strawberry, cranberry and spiced cherry flavors start off flashy and mouthwatering, but then settle into a harmonious spicy mix of tobacco, clove and oolong tea, with details of chicory and forrest floor that linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2034.

Robert Parker (RP) : 92 Points (2019)
The blended wine—Felton Road's 2019 Pinot Noir—includes components from four vineyards. It ended up comprising 20% whole clusters, with 27% of the blend matured in new oak. Scents of cedar and wintergreen accent black cherries and blackberries on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate adds some cola-like notes. For all the "dark" flavors, it's lively and vibrant, supported by silky-textured tannins and mouthwatering acidity on the long finish. (6/2021)

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 92 Points (2019)
Once aromas are unlocked, this is a charming, multifaceted wine. It wafts notes of brambly berries, tree sap, graphite, baking spice, mushrooms and florals. Well-placed oak adds polish to an otherwise raw, stripped-back fruit character. Even after decanting, the palate is still tightly wound, the tannins fine yet taut and talc-like. Lovely fruit purity and balance hint at a happy pairing with, say, roast duck in a fruit glaze. This wine should evolve well into the late 2020s (9/2021)

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 90 Points (2019)
There's a sense of ease to this ripe yet elegant Pinot. It has a fluidity as it flows along the palate, offering cherry, raspberry and floral aromas. A portion of whole cluster fruit has created additional layers of woody herbs and spice. There's almost 30% new oak, but the fruit, sourced from four vineyards, absorbs it easily. The tannins coat the mouth, providing a pleasing clasp with their fine, chalky veil. While this might be Felton Road's “entry-level” Pinot Noir, there's plenty of seriousness here. Drinking window: 2021 - 2027

Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2021
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2021
Felton Road
Block 5 Pinot Noir 2021
WS
94
RP
95
DCT
97
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir is a superb expression of Central Otago terroir, showcasing finesse, balance, and a long, elegant finish. It reflects the region’s cool climate, with impeccable precision and depth.
105,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2020
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2020
Felton Road
Calvert Pinot Noir 2020
RP
95
JR
90
VN
94
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2020 amplifies the signature floral and fruit notes of the Calvert site, crafted with the estate’s hallmark minimal intervention approach to highlight the purity of the terroir.
72,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2021
Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2021
Felton Road
Block 3 Pinot Noir 2021
WS
96
RP
96
DCT
97
The Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2021 is a powerful and complex single-vineyard wine, delivering a unique expression of the Block 3 site in Central Otago. Its blend of wild herbs, spice, and deep fruit flavors makes it a standout among Felton Road’s Pinot Noirs.
105,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2020
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2020
Felton Road
Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2020
RP
93
JR
88
VN
93
The Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2020 is a concentrated and brooding expression of Central Otago Pinot Noir, marked by rich fruit and complex spice notes. This wine demonstrates the unique character of the Cornish Point vineyard, offering depth and elegance.
77,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021
Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021
Felton Road
Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021
DCT
93
VN
93
Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021 is a beautifully crafted wine, balancing elegance and complexity with bright acidity and a detailed, saline finish. It offers layers of vibrant fruit and floral notes, framed by meticulous winemaking.
49,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2019
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2019
Felton Road
Block 2 Chardonnay 2019
JS
94
RP
93
WS
92
Crafted from old vines in Block 2, this Felton Road Chardonnay stands out for its minerality and vibrant acidity, offering a pure and focused expression of Central Otago’s schist soils.
64,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2018
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2018
Felton Road
Block 6 Chardonnay 2018
RP
94
WS
92
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2018 is an elegant and bold expression of the Bannockburn terroir, where ripeness and complexity converge in a wine of power and finesse.
61,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2019
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2019
Felton Road
Calvert Pinot Noir 2019
WS
92
WE
93
DCT
96
Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2019 is a wine of remarkable finesse and precision, offering a seamless expression of Central Otago’s renowned terroir.
78,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2022
Felton Road Block 5 Pinot Noir 2022
Felton Road
Block 5 Pinot Noir 2022
RP
95
BC
97
JS
97
Crafted with biodynamic precision, the Block 5 Pinot Noir 2022 is a reflection of Felton Road’s commitment to producing wines of exceptional purity and depth.
105,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2022
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2022
Felton Road
Block 2 Chardonnay 2022
RP
94
The Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2022 is a refined and site-expressive wine that showcases the elegance of Central Otago’s Bannockburn terroir, with meticulous craftsmanship and biodynamic principles at its core.
64,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022
Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022
Felton Road
MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022
RP
94
DCT
95
JS
95
As the second-ever release from this single vineyard, the MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022 exemplifies Felton Road’s commitment to expressing the nuances of its terroir through meticulous viticulture and non-interventionist winemaking.
86,50 €
Quantity : moins plus
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2021
Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2021
Felton Road
Block 6 Chardonnay 2021
RP
94
DCT
94
JS
96
Crafted from the Block 6 vineyard, this Chardonnay reflects the unique growing conditions of its higher altitude, delivering a sophisticated and precise wine.
61,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
64,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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