Selected for the Fine Wines of New Zealand List
Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Felton Road farms four properties totaling 34 ha in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. Block 2 was planted in 1992 and is positioned on a gentle east facing slope of deep angular schist soils immediately north of Block 3 on The Elms vineyard.
Mendoza clone Chardonnay from Block 2 was whole bunch pressed, settled overnight and flowed by gravity to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in seasoned French oak (only 4% new) was followed by a long and complete malolactic over the spring and summer. After 16 months in barrel (11 months on gross lees), the wine was carefully racked to tank for bottling in early September, 2023. The wine was not fined or filtered.
Citrus blossom, lemon zest and hallmark elderflower aromas that are typical from the lower lying, sheltered and east sloping Block 2. The palate introduces delicate white peach and melon, leading to a very pure and restrained mid-palate. It’s fine, elegant and transparent: the schist soils making their mark. Indigenous yeast and malolactic, not fined or filtered, minimal influence of oak (all as usual), makes for a very precise and site expressive Chardonnay."
96/100 James Suckling (2022 Vintage)
"Yellow apple, apricot and acacia followed by baking spices, marzipan and stony minerality with a touch of cheese rind. Medium-bodied with a good backbone of acidity which balances out the wine well. Beautiful harmony and drinkability. Mendoza clone (Wente) on own roots. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
Reviews for previous vintages below…
5 Stars Michael Cooper (2020 Vintage)
"This typically outstanding wine is grown in a 'special part of The Elms Vineyard in front of the winery', which has the oldest vines. The 2020 vintage (5*) was matured for 16 months in seasoned French oak barrels (avoiding use of new oak), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Bright, light yellow/green, it is a very classy, concentrated and finely poised wine, with deep grapefruit and peach flavours, finely integrated oak, cool-climate vigour and a long finish. Best drinking 2024+."
17/20 Julia Harding, JancisRobinson.com (2018 Vintage)
"Mealy and more scented than their Bannockburn Chardonnay 2018. Creamy effect of the lees. Subtle and inviting. There's something silky and cool at the heart of this. Lovely purity and effortless concentration so that the oak is in the back seat. Moreish and mouth-watering. A wine to linger over. You could broach this quite soon but there's no hurry."
5 Stars & 97/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, February 2019 (2017 Vintage)
"Tangy, concentrated chardonnay with wet stone, mineral, lime, grapefruit, citrus, white flower and subtle nutty flavours. Rather tight and slightly closed at this stage with assertive acidity but with great potential. Impressive wine; richly-textured and with a lengthy finish."