Wine Article
2006 Felton Road Chardonnay Central Otago
Last edited on 2/24/2021 by LindsayM
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Viticulture
2006 Felton Road Chardonnay
Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in controlling vine vigour and to improve soil health and general biodiversity. All of our vineyards are managed organically and also utilise biodynamic practices throughout.
Vintage & Vinification
A selection was made in the vineyard of the more intensely flavoured Chardonnay grapes (Mendoza clone) for barrel fermentation. Fully ripe grapes were carefully hand harvested from mid to late April and whole bunch pressed to minimise phenolic pick-up and retain flavour intensity. The juice was then drained (without settling) directly to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation in French oak (only 10% new) with indigenous yeasts has produced a wine with considerable complexity. A long slow malolactic fermentation and regular stirring of the lees (Batonnage) has softened the acid for a rich creamy mouthfeel.
Bouquet & Palate
Colour of pale straw. A nose of stonefruits, with lemon and a distinct mineral edge. The palate leads with nutty stonefruit, following with crisp acid and cleansing minerality. Very rich and mouth-coating, yet with a bracing clean finish and plenty of grip. The tension is evident despite the riper flavours than we normally see in this wine; certainly no sign of new world fatness. A wine with considerable ageing potential.
Vintage Summary 2006
Our earliest starting date yet of March 17 after a particularly hot and dry summer (many days over 30C with temperatures peaking at 39C). The hot dry weather through flowering resulted in large berries and large crops leading us to saignee almost all tanks and make another Vin Gris. 2006 made perfumed and elegant wines with a wonderful natural balance. Perhaps not the fruit intensity or depth of the brooding 2005's, but wines that can best be compared to the elegant 2001's and 2003's. Somewhat of a landmark vintage for us being our 10th vintage and also the first where 100% of our Pinot Noir vineyards are being farmed organically and biodynamically.
2006 Felton Road Chardonnay
Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in controlling vine vigour and to improve soil health and general biodiversity. All of our vineyards are managed organically and also utilise biodynamic practices throughout.
Vintage & Vinification
A selection was made in the vineyard of the more intensely flavoured Chardonnay grapes (Mendoza clone) for barrel fermentation. Fully ripe grapes were carefully hand harvested from mid to late April and whole bunch pressed to minimise phenolic pick-up and retain flavour intensity. The juice was then drained (without settling) directly to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation in French oak (only 10% new) with indigenous yeasts has produced a wine with considerable complexity. A long slow malolactic fermentation and regular stirring of the lees (Batonnage) has softened the acid for a rich creamy mouthfeel.
Bouquet & Palate
Colour of pale straw. A nose of stonefruits, with lemon and a distinct mineral edge. The palate leads with nutty stonefruit, following with crisp acid and cleansing minerality. Very rich and mouth-coating, yet with a bracing clean finish and plenty of grip. The tension is evident despite the riper flavours than we normally see in this wine; certainly no sign of new world fatness. A wine with considerable ageing potential.
Vintage Summary 2006
Our earliest starting date yet of March 17 after a particularly hot and dry summer (many days over 30C with temperatures peaking at 39C). The hot dry weather through flowering resulted in large berries and large crops leading us to saignee almost all tanks and make another Vin Gris. 2006 made perfumed and elegant wines with a wonderful natural balance. Perhaps not the fruit intensity or depth of the brooding 2005's, but wines that can best be compared to the elegant 2001's and 2003's. Somewhat of a landmark vintage for us being our 10th vintage and also the first where 100% of our Pinot Noir vineyards are being farmed organically and biodynamically.