Felton Road - Bannockburn - Chardonnay 2021
Felton Road is located in Bannockburn , a sub-region of Central Otago on the South Island of New Zealand . He is one of New Zealand's best known and most respected producers. Considerable research by Stewart Elms (hence the tree logo, 'Elm' meaning 'Elm') in 1991 identified the north-facing slopes at the end of Felton Road in Bannockburn as one of Central Otago's warmest and most ideal sites for growing and producing premium wine. The Estate comprises four vineyards on warm, north-facing slopes in Bannockburn: the original Elms Vineyard (14.7 hectares), Macmuir Vineyard (5.1 hectares), Calvert Vineyard (4.6 hectares) and the Cornish Point vineyard (7.6 hectares). The vineyards are managed by winemaker Gareth King and his team of dedicated associates. Since 2002, the vineyards have been managed organically and biodynamically; organic compost is made from organic cellar waste, cow manure and straw. In 2010, all four vineyards achieved full Demeter certification . Felton Road harvests the grapes by hand and follows the philosophy of minimal intervention in the winery: with gravity-fed systems, indigenous yeasts and no fining or filtration. Wood is a subtle companion.
Bannockburn Chardonnay is made from various Chardonnay clones (Mendoza, B95, B548,), carefully harvested by hand from The Elms (Block 2, 6, 8 and 9) and Cornish Point (10%) vineyards . The grapes were pressed in whole bunches , the juice flowing immediately into the barrel by gravity without settling. Fermentation in French oak (mostly in medium toast+ barrels and 5% new barrels) with indigenous yeasts resulted in a wine of considerable complexity. A long and complete indigenous malolactic fermentation with only periodic stirring of the lees (bâtonnage) combined with 11 months on complete lees softened the acid for a rich and complex mouthfeel. In total, the wine was aged 13 months in barrels .
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay