FELTON ROAD - Pinot Noir Block 3 - 2019

FELTON ROAD

Pinot Noir Block 3 2019

- 17 points -

Fruit from Block 3 of Elms vineyard (vine age mostly 27 years). 25% whole cluster. 13 months' élevage in 30% new oak. The Felton Road team have been trying to keep alcohol levels to 13.5% so the climate is presumably warming up, even in the far south of the South Island.
Notably subtle and savoury on the nose – none of the immediate sweet appeal of the less prestigious 2019 Pinots. A distinctive framework of tannins within which tamarind fruit shines brightly. Very clean finish. Real tightrope balance between the freshness and the ripeness but to good and delicious effect. This is already gorgeous and I will probably drink it tonight but it should continue to improve in bottle. Very appetising.

January 2021


About Jancis Robinson

Described by Decanter magazine as 'the most respected wine critic and journalist in the world', Jancis writes daily for JancisRobinson.com (voted first-ever Wine Website of the Year in the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers Awards 2010), weekly for The Financial Times, and bi-monthly for a column that is syndicated around the world. She is also editor of The Oxford Companion to Wine, co-author with Hugh Johnson ofThe World Atlas of Wine and co-author of Wine Grapes - A complete guide to 1,368 vine varieties, including their origins and flavours, each of these books recognised as a standard reference worldwide.