Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir 2022

Region and Vineyards

The MacMuir vineyard is located just 1 km east of the Elms vineyard and 300 m west of the Calvert vineyard, all part of the Bannockburn subregion in Central Otago, New Zealand. The vineyard is known for its deep, heavy silt soils and higher vine density, which contribute to the structure and complexity of the wine.

The vineyard is managed with a strict focus on organic and biodynamic practices, certified by BioGro and Demeter, ensuring a sustainable and balanced environment. Meticulous vineyard management, including shoot thinning, leaf plucking, and bunch thinning, is carried out entirely by hand, allowing for the development of optimal fruit. Additionally, cover crops are planted between rows to promote biodiversity and improve soil health, further enhancing the expression of terroir.

Winemaking

In line with Felton Road’s philosophy of minimal intervention, the winemaking process for the 2022 MacMuir Pinot Noir allowed the vineyard’s unique qualities to shine. The gravity-flow winery enabled gentle destemming of the grapes directly into open-top fermenters without pumping, preserving the integrity of the fruit. 25% of the fruit was retained as whole clusters, enhancing the wine’s complexity.

The wine underwent a traditional fermentation with a moderately long maceration on skins to extract color, tannin, and depth of flavor. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 13 months in French oak barrels, 25% of which were new, from Burgundian coopers. No fining or filtration was applied, preserving the wine’s natural complexity.

Tasting Notes

• Color: A deep ruby hue, reflecting the wine’s concentration and depth.
• Aroma: The nose offers dark and beguiling aromas, with restrained herbal notes, touches of chocolate, and a sense of transparency, allowing each nuance to be fully expressed.
• Palate: The palate exudes stature and authority, inviting you to explore its complexity. Layers of dark fruit, herbaceous hints, and fine tannins combine in a structured, yet elegant framework. The wine is seamless and refined, with a finish that lingers and reveals additional layers over time.

Did you know?

The MacMuir vineyard has only been released as a single-vineyard wine twice, making the 2022 vintage a rare and unique expression of Felton Road’s portfolio. Its close proximity to the Elms and Calvert vineyards highlights the nuanced differences that a specific site can impart, despite being part of the same overall terroir.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Lamb tagine with prunes and almonds: The rich, slow-cooked flavors of the tagine complement the wine’s dark fruit and subtle herbal notes, while the tannins provide structure against the richness of the dish.
• Mushroom and truffle risotto: The earthy depth of mushrooms and truffles pairs beautifully with the wine’s complex layers of dark fruit and subtle spice.
• Grilled duck breast with a cherry reduction: The wine’s restrained fruit and structured tannins mirror the richness of the duck and the sweet-sour balance of the cherry sauce.
• Aged Gouda: The firm texture and nutty, caramelized flavors of the cheese match the depth and complexity of the wine, providing a perfect contrast.

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.