Felton Road

Block 2 Central Otago Chardonnay 2015

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

First, Central Otago is Gods country. Especially, in April. As well, amazing soil structure & climate for Chardonnay & Pinot Noir.

Then, if you like good White Burgundy that is clean, round with good viscosity and acidity for days, this is for you. If you fit that criteria & haven’t had a good Felton Road Chardonnay, you should.

You could put this in anyone’s hand, including some Master Sommeliers blind, they would call Burgundy. I would as well.

Felton Road was the highlight of our 2017 visit to Central Otago. Rippon was a close second. Jo Mills at Rippon has more passion for wine and making them completely biodynamic than anyone I’ve met & we have met a shit-ton of producers around the world.

The nose shows; mashed, sour lemons, lime zest & candy, just ripe pineapple, grapefruit with pith, touch of white stone fruits, butterscotch notes, beautiful chalkiness, some smokiness, saline, grey volcanics, vanillin, just a touch of maple with caramel, soft side of white spice, honey to marmalade quality, graham cracker with white & yellow florals.

The palate/ body is round, medium full, gorgeously sexy with excellent viscosity. Wire to wire steady & brilliant. Mashed, sour lemons, lime zest & candy, just ripe pineapple, grapefruit with pith, touch of white stone fruits, beautiful chalkiness, saline, grey, powdery, volcanics, limestone, vanillin, just a touch of maple with caramel, butterscotch, mint, eucalyptus, touch of fresh herbs, soft side of white spice, honey to marmalade quality, graham cracker with white & yellow florals & jasmine. The acidity is stunning & like a summer shower. The finish is; gentle, elegant, so well knitted & balanced and persistent for days.

Important to decant & let warm to just below room temp. 62-65 degrees.

The perfect pair is Jasper Hill Farms new Harbison Prosecco washed soft white cheese. Creamy on steroids.

Photos of our 2017 visit to Felton Road, the long view front the property, their front gate, outdoor concrete tanks and our property walk & talk with Owner Nigel Greening.

1/15/21 — 8 days ago

Daniel P., Dawn and 21 others liked this

Severn Goodwin

Great note

David T

@Severn Goodwin Thank you my friend. Cheers! 🥂

Church Road

McDonald Series Syrah 2019

Akshata Singh

9.3

Velvety without being dry. — 9 days ago

Diatom

Santos Road Chardonnay 2018

Tom Balamaci

9.4

This is one of the best pours of white I’ve had in the last 18 months. Really there are only 2-3 wines in that period that compete and they were 3x+ the price. The only quip is the high alcohol—it’s apparent at first sniff (but doesn’t impact the palate or loooong finish) — 8 days ago

Eric and Ira liked this

Eminence Road Farm Winery

Elizabeth's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Daniel Bloom

8.9

Cherries and some spice on the nose.
very gentle on the palate, cherries,
Some dirt, bright acidity, but in check.
An interesting East coast Pinot. — 21 hours ago