2016 Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 5

Community Tasting Notes (12) Avg Score: 92.9 points

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  2/21/2024 - drwine2001 wrote:

  New Zealand Trip; 2/10/2024-2/24/2024: Even light ruby. Intriguing sinuous mix of dull red berries, clear but measured stem notes, clove, and tilled soil. Medium weight. Fresh discretely ripe fruit, smoke, and citrus buttressed by fine acidity, a long vein of pure fruit with tannins that are very much in the background. The overall sense is that of confidence, poise, and seamlessness. This was so much more vigorous and youthful than the 2016 Block 3 we had the other night that I wonder whether storage was an issue with that bottle. At any rate, one of the greatest red wines we’ve tasted here and reminiscent of outstanding Gevrey Grand Crus that slay with elegance and complexity rather than power. It should age beautifully for another 15 to 20 years.

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  3/28/2022 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Two 2016 Felton Road Pinots drunk at home: Drunk from Zalto Denk'Art Burgundy stem side-by-side with the Block 3. Drunk over four days, during which it did not change. New oak 33%, whole bunch 25%. Under screwcap. Slightly darker and deeper ruby colour than the Block 3. A bouquet of red cherries under liqueur, warm, tilled soil, liquorice, red currants and a little strawberry. In the mouth, darker red fruit – closer to black – than the Block 3. Succulent, juicy red cherries and berries with earth, barbequed meats and mocha. Sleek, silky and voluminous fruit. Ultra-fine grained tannins. Pure, clean, direct and linear with great flow. Well balanced and proportioned, including the acidity and alcohol (13.5% ABV). Now on its optimal drinking plateau – fully open – until at least 2032, I expect. A rare case of my preferring the Block 5 over the Block 3 for a vintage.

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  1/2/2022 - la turque wrote: 94 Points

  In its prime and drinking beautifully now.

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  12/14/2020 - evanqian wrote: 93 Points

  Impressive floral bouquet. Dense fruity core, some herbal and earth lacing. Elegant rather than strength, fresh acidity, silky tannins, m++ finish with creamy notes. That’s a beautiful Central Otago
  
  Ap 5/5, Ar 13/15, Palate 17/20, Overall 5+3/10
  Total 93+/100

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  11/8/2020 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Wow the nose is just addictive, I am trying to convince myself I am not in Burgundy, with notes of red berry fruit, crushed rose petals, licorice, fresh eucalyptus and fennel. The palate is delicate yet focused with finely integrated silky tannins, dark berry fruit, crushed herbs, stones, fennel, and racy acidity. The finish lingers on a slight spicy note. Pretty phenomenal. 94

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View all 12 Community Tasting Notes

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