Central Otago is New Zealand's highest and the world's most southerly wine region. Soil types vary dramatically from those of other regions with heavy deposits of mica and schists in silt loams. Pinot Noir is the dominant grape variety which has rapidly gained a huge international following.
Tasting notes: Crimson Pinot Noir 2010 is the wonderfully aromatic result of a cooler than normal summer and a warm, dry autumn that stretched lazily through to the end of our April harvest and well into May. Crushed rose-petal, light cherry, brambly notes and a hint of red licorice conspire to create an enchanting, heady fragrance. The silky smooth palate is beautifully balanced; seamless, feminine and very approachable.
Tasting notes: At this early stage of its life the wine is pert and lively with spring flowers and citrus blossom on the nose and a hint of hazelnut. The palate is smooth, racy and seamless, with a full texture, but a lithe and taught structure. It is clean and long in the finish and while delicious now, will take some bottle age to start to evolve the evident complexity that lies in wait.
Tasting notes: Already starting to let its perfume emerge. This vintage is spicier, with chocolate and violets overlaying dark cherry and raspberry. The palate is seamlessly plush and richly textural, with significant very fine dusty tannins constructing a framework through the finish. While concentration is abundant, the wine still holds on to its precision. A candidate for long haul keeping as well as enjoying its exuberance in the first few years. In short, a benchmark Felton Road.
Tasting notes: Lightly straw-coloured wine stylistically reminding of varieties like Viognier and Rousanne with yeasty, nutty aromas combined with fruit of zesty mandarins, wild flowers and a touch of vanilla. A full bodied, yet elegant wine nicely combining the creaminess of the lees with the fruitiness and the toasty oak aromas.
