Family Article
Felton Road Chardonnay Block 6
Last edited on 10/22/2022 by LindsayM
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Tasting Note
The higher elevation and north facing slope of Block 6 provides a unique difference in the growing and ripening conditions compared to Block 2, whilst sharing very similar deep, schist gravel soils. Riper fruit with delicate brioche notes and almond lead the aromatics. A more mouthcoating and broader Chardonnay that is still transparent and detailed from the careful handling. The 2021 vintage has yielded precise and sophisticated Chardonnays.
Vineyard & Viticulture
Felton Road farms four properties totaling 34 ha in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. Block 6 was planted in 1993 and is positioned on a north facing slope immediately south of Block 5 on The Elms vineyard. Its higher elevation (282-300m) and steeper slope favourably intercepts the sun but results in it being more wind exposed. 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 vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity.
Vintage
After a moderate winter with normal rainfall, budburst occurred in late September. Flowering commenced in early December, as normal, with some rain and temperatures hovering around average. A period of cool evenings raised concerns of a potential poor set. Significant rainfall at the beginning of January and further rain in the middle of the month resulted in more than double the monthly rainfall. This wetter period throughout the phase of cell division resulted in generally larger berries and made-up for potentially lower bunch weights from the uneven flowering conditions. The weather stabilised in February with warmer and much drier conditions; which continued throughout the lead-up, and until the conclusion of harvest. Chardonnay was harvested from March 23 and concluded on April 4.
Vinification
Predominantly Mendoza with some Dijon clone 95 Chardonnay from Block 6, was whole bunch pressed, settled overnight and flowed by gravity to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in seasoned French oak (no new oak) 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 racked carefully to tank for bottling in early-September 2022. The wine was not fined or filtered.
The higher elevation and north facing slope of Block 6 provides a unique difference in the growing and ripening conditions compared to Block 2, whilst sharing very similar deep, schist gravel soils. Riper fruit with delicate brioche notes and almond lead the aromatics. A more mouthcoating and broader Chardonnay that is still transparent and detailed from the careful handling. The 2021 vintage has yielded precise and sophisticated Chardonnays.
Vineyard & Viticulture
Felton Road farms four properties totaling 34 ha in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. Block 6 was planted in 1993 and is positioned on a north facing slope immediately south of Block 5 on The Elms vineyard. Its higher elevation (282-300m) and steeper slope favourably intercepts the sun but results in it being more wind exposed. 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 vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity.
Vintage
After a moderate winter with normal rainfall, budburst occurred in late September. Flowering commenced in early December, as normal, with some rain and temperatures hovering around average. A period of cool evenings raised concerns of a potential poor set. Significant rainfall at the beginning of January and further rain in the middle of the month resulted in more than double the monthly rainfall. This wetter period throughout the phase of cell division resulted in generally larger berries and made-up for potentially lower bunch weights from the uneven flowering conditions. The weather stabilised in February with warmer and much drier conditions; which continued throughout the lead-up, and until the conclusion of harvest. Chardonnay was harvested from March 23 and concluded on April 4.
Vinification
Predominantly Mendoza with some Dijon clone 95 Chardonnay from Block 6, was whole bunch pressed, settled overnight and flowed by gravity to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in seasoned French oak (no new oak) 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 racked carefully to tank for bottling in early-September 2022. The wine was not fined or filtered.