2022 Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 750ml

Beginning with meticulous site selection and vineyard design started in 1991, Felton Road’s story is one of refusal to compromise. A strict 100% estate policy with fully organic and biodynamic viticulture (Demeter certified) ensures their fruit arrives at the winery as pure as it can be, while their entire estate comes as close to true sustainability as is possible.

Felton Road farms four properties totalling 32 ha in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. Chardonnay is mostly grown on the Elms vineyard in Blocks 2, 6, 8 & 9; plus approximately 10% coming from Cornish Point vineyard. There are a range of altitudes and aspects with the soils mostly deep alluvial schist gravels. Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity.

Predominantly Mendoza with some Dijon clone 95Chardonnay from Block 6, was whole bunch pressed,settled overnight and flowed by gravity to barrel in theunderground cellar. Fermentation with indigenousyeasts in seasoned French oak (only 5% new) wasfollowed by a long and complete malolactic over thespring and summer. After 16 months in barrel (11months on gross lees) the wine was racked carefully totank for bottling in early-September 2023.

The more exposed and north facing slope ofBlock 6 counters its higher elevation,contributing to the ripeness of fruit and bolderexpression (compared to the Block 2). Theinitial impression is tightly woven, but soonexpands and opens to reveal intriguing nuttyand brioche notes. The breadth and depth areimpressive, with a mineral freshnessbrightening and influencing the seamless andlong finish.