This wine was a surprise - but a pleasant one! 2011 for Chardonnay was a cool, wet and unheralded vintage in Bannockburn, Central Otago. I bought some bottles of the Block 2 on release and this was my first one opened. In some ways it reminded me of a Corton-Charlemagne with its interplay of minerals and barrique ... Under screwcap. Some reduction on opening. A bouquet of creamy nectarines, pears and green apples with wet limestone, blanched cashews and spices. For a Felton Road, an unusually high volume of spicy, creamy oak. On palate, rich and full yet piercing acidity and flinty, chalky minerality. Dry and mineral, not at all overtly fruit driven. The nutty, creamy oak is again prominent - 25% new oak, I understand, higher than for a more modern Felton Road Chardonnay - but it works with the fruit and minerality. The alcohol (14% ABV) not obtrusive. Long, finishing on that minerality. Now drinking on a seeming optimal peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
V Light colour given age. Spicy. Fruit and the French oak dominates. Despite multi layers and lovely complexity still tastes new world...well NZ with the accompanying herbaceousness. Aftertaste is So looooong. Great wine with some years ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very light colour, exuberant nose, cashew with lemon, tangerine, a little creamy, fresh and clean on the palate with a decent finish, very nice and drank this case too soon
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Cracking Chardonnay with plenty of savoury nutty flavours with citrus acidity and ripe stone fruit and some tropical fruits, nice balance, depth of flavour and a long finish, drinking well now but will be interesting to see how it develops
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.
3/4/2022 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine was a surprise - but a pleasant one! 2011 for Chardonnay was a cool, wet and unheralded vintage in Bannockburn, Central Otago. I bought some bottles of the Block 2 on release and this was my first one opened. In some ways it reminded me of a Corton-Charlemagne with its interplay of minerals and barrique ... Under screwcap. Some reduction on opening. A bouquet of creamy nectarines, pears and green apples with wet limestone, blanched cashews and spices. For a Felton Road, an unusually high volume of spicy, creamy oak. On palate, rich and full yet piercing acidity and flinty, chalky minerality. Dry and mineral, not at all overtly fruit driven. The nutty, creamy oak is again prominent - 25% new oak, I understand, higher than for a more modern Felton Road Chardonnay - but it works with the fruit and minerality. The alcohol (14% ABV) not obtrusive. Long, finishing on that minerality. Now drinking on a seeming optimal peak.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2020 - RN wrote: 93 Points
V Light colour given age. Spicy. Fruit and the French oak dominates. Despite multi layers and lovely complexity still tastes new world...well NZ with the accompanying herbaceousness. Aftertaste is So looooong. Great wine with some years ahead.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/31/2019 - kingkanu wrote:
Very light colour, exuberant nose, cashew with lemon, tangerine, a little creamy, fresh and clean on the palate with a decent finish, very nice and drank this case too soon
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2019 - DangerMouse81 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Persistent wine. Reduced, capsicum, elote, citrus oil. Fresh palate with minerals and wild acidity. Great length and a hint of richness.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/20/2017 - kingkanu wrote: 91 Points
Cracking Chardonnay with plenty of savoury nutty flavours with citrus acidity and ripe stone fruit and some tropical fruits, nice balance, depth of flavour and a long finish, drinking well now but will be interesting to see how it develops
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment