Felton Road - Bannockburn - Chardonnay 2022
Felton Road is located in Bannockburn , a sub-region of Central Otago on the South Island of New Zealand . It is one of New Zealand's best known and most respected producers. Considerable research has been conducted by Stewart Elms (hence the tree logo, "Elm" meaning "Elm") in 1991 identified the north-facing slopes at the end of Felton Road, Bannockburn, as one of the most warm and ideal climates in Central Otago 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), the Macmuir Vineyard (5.1 hectares), Calvert Vineyard (4.6 hectares) and Cornish Point Vineyard (7.6 hectares). The vineyards are managed by winemaker Gareth King and his team of dedicated staff. Since 2002, the vineyards have been managed organically and biodynamically; organic compost is made from winery waste, organic cow manure and straw. In 2010, all four vineyards obtained full Demeter certification . Felton Road harvests the grapes by hand and follows the philosophy of minimal intervention in the cellar: 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, UCD6), carefully hand-harvested 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 barrels by gravity without settling. Fermentation in French oak (mostly in medium-toasted barrels and less than 10% new barrels) with indigenous yeasts was produced 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 whole lees softened the acid for a rich and complex palate. Overall, the wine was aged 13 months in barrels .
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay