- 95 points -

Heady violets, undergrowth and spiced sour cherries with vitality and vibrancy through the palate. Sinewy tannins, roasted nut oak tones and nervy acidity hold up the complex, rippling flavours of black cherry, plum compote, autumn leaves and earthy minerals. Bursting with potential; give it time.

- 95 points -

- 94 points -

Generous and juicy wild strawberry, cranberry and spiced cherry flavors start off flashy and mouthwatering, but then settle into a harmonious mix of spicy tobacco, clove and oolong tea notes, with details of chicory and forest floor that linger on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2034. 4,064 cases made, 168 cases imported. 

- 92 points -

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. 

- 92 points -

A hint of smokiness and toast appears first, still with the echo of slight reduction. The fine web of tannins on the palate holds oak as well as surprisingly dark fruit. Very juicy, fruity and bold, this is Felton Road's estate Pinot Noir, with just 25% new oak.

- 90 points -

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.

Full bottle 1,165 g. Fruit from the Elms, MacMuir, Cornish Point and Calvert vineyards with vine age between seven and 27 years. 20% whole cluster. 13 months' élevage in 27% new oak.
Healthy mid garnet and beguilingly scented. I have to say that when I unscrewed these five bottles of Felton Road Pinot the most appetising, luscious perfume of Pinot scented the air – which doesn't always happen by any means. I've been tasting a lot of 2019 red burgundy and this phenomenon was rare. Great balance of fruit and acidity – though perhaps the acidity is just slightly winning. Light chalky texture on the finish. An appetising wine whose only shortcoming is a slight lack of any compelling undertow but very nicely judged with just a light violet note.

16,5+

Younger than most of these NZ Pinots, which may explain the intensity of crimson. Pure exuberant southern-hemisphere fruit on the nose. The wonderfully gentle texture on the palate into which a lot of work seems to have gone. There’s a hint of dunked digestive biscuits here. Long and fresh.

16,5

Earthy and interesting on the nose. Already open and sweet but with good structure. Great for current drinking, with real interest and freshness. At the moment I prefer this to Block 3.