Wine Advisor
Felton Road, Block 2 Chardonnay 2022
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Erin Larkin
The 2022 Block 2 Chardonnay was bottled, along with the Block 6 Chardonnay, in September 2023, as opposed to the 2022 Bannockburn Chardonnay which was bottled in May of 2023. The same winemaking (aside from a difference in the time spent in oak) across the cuvées serves to highlight the vineyard differences. This Block 2 is far more aromatically restrained and certainly hides the voluminous fruit behind a sheath of mineral phenolics. The wine is powerful but restrained and pure in its way. It's lovely, with a gentle brine note through the finish. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.
Reviewed by: Rebecca Gibb MW
The 2022 Chardonnay Block 2 is an athletic wine that knows where the finish line is. Clear and precise with a mouthwatering, sappy finish, it offers restrained fruit flavors of apple, pear and citrus alongside almond croissant notes. While serious, it has a pleasing roundness on the mid-palate that makes it approachable with food from 2024 onwards.
About the Producer
Felton Road is situated on warm, north-facing slopes of glacial loess soils in Bannockburn, in the heart of Central Otago. The modern gravity-fed winery receives 100% estate-grown fruit from its three vineyards that are all farmed biodynamically and are fully certified by Demeter. Minimal intervention in the winemaking with such practices as wild yeast, no fining or filtration, allow the unique vineyard characters to further express their considerable personality. Since the first vintage in 1997, Felton Road has acquired a formidable worldwide reputation.
