Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir 2020

Region and Vineyards

The Calvert Vineyard is located in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago, New Zealand’s renowned Pinot Noir producing area. Positioned just 1km east of The Elms Vineyard, Calvert benefits from deep heavy silts and a thin layer of loess topsoil, which contribute to the wine’s structure and complexity. The vineyard is meticulously managed using biodynamic practices, certified by BioGro and Demeter.

The cool and relatively wet conditions during the flowering season resulted in smaller berry sizes and low bunch weights, which helped concentrate the fruit's flavors. These vines are carefully tended with hand-harvesting, shoot thinning, and leaf plucking, ensuring optimal fruit quality. Cover crops are planted between the rows to improve biodiversity and soil health, further enhancing the vineyard’s sustainability.

Winemaking

Felton Road’s winemaking approach emphasizes minimal intervention to allow the vineyard’s terroir to shine. The grapes for the 2020 Calvert Pinot Noir were gently destemmed into open-top fermenters, with about 20% of whole clusters included to add complexity. The wine underwent a long pre-fermentation soak of 8-10 days, followed by fermentation with indigenous yeasts.

The wine was fermented in open-top fermenters, with gentle hand plunging up to two times per day to extract color and tannins. After a total of 22-24 days on the skins, the wine was pressed and transferred by gravity to French oak barrels, with 30% new oak. The wine aged for 17 months in barrel, without fining or filtration, ensuring that the wine retains its natural structure and texture. It was bottled in September 2021.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Medium ruby with bright, clear edges.
• Aroma: A captivating bouquet of violets and floral notes characteristic of the Calvert vineyard, complemented by dark cherry, plum, and hints of allspice.
• Palate: Silky and refined, the mid-palate is laden with floral notes, dark fruits like cherry and plum, and a subtle spiciness from the allspice. The wine finishes with elegant tannins and a firm, precise structure, reflecting the cool and extended ripening season. Vibrant acidity lifts the flavors, leaving a long and satisfying finish.

Did you know?

The Calvert Vineyard is part of a unique collaboration between Felton Road, Pisa Range Estate, and Carrick Winery, with all three wineries producing their own single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the same vineyard. This allows wine lovers to experience the different expressions of the same terroir through the lens of each winery's philosophy.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Duck breast with cherry sauce: The richness of the duck and the fruitiness of the sauce complement the dark cherry and plum notes in the wine.
• Mushroom and truffle risotto: The earthy flavors of mushrooms and truffles harmonize with the wine’s floral and spice characteristics.
• Herb-crusted lamb: The savory herbs and tender meat pair beautifully with the wine’s tannins and allspice notes.
• Roasted beet salad with goat cheese: The vibrant acidity of the wine complements the tanginess of the goat cheese, while the earthy beets enhance the wine’s subtle complexity.

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.