Classification | Cru Classe |
Type | White |
Brand | Felton Road |
Vintage | 2022 |
Country | New Zealand |
Region | Bannockburn |
Grape | Chardonnay |
Volume | 0,75 |
Condition | Perfect |
Label | Perfect |
Drinkable | -2033 |
Stock | 5 |
Mandarin orange, yellow cherries and green banana followed by butterscotch and dried tea leaves with an underlying saline minerality. Medium-bodied, bright acidity. Persistent depth and balance. Elegant finish. A firmness and focus in texture. About 60% old vines on their own rootstock. Mendoza (Wente). From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.
Citrusy and a bit flinty on the nose. Chewy and full-bodied, with juicy yellow-apple and citrus flavours, yet also plenty of bright acidity. Very long finish. Mouth-watering and delicious.
The 2022 Chardonnay Block 6 is a fully concentrated and robust style. It is quite ripe, with 14% alcohol contributing to the body and glycerol-like smoothness, but this also lends a touch of heat that slightly detracts from its overall harmony. However, this wine comes into its own with a firm structure and unapologetic intensity, setting it apart from Block 2, which is more gentle and open. Lees-derived almond pastry notes meet apple and pear fruit flavors, which linger on the long finish.
Nose is quite restrained at this stage, good concentration of fruit, sitting in the white stone-fruit spectrum. Oak is discreet and exerts very little influence on the pure, intensely concentrated palate. Has an appealing, faintly pithy texture. Plenty of potential but needs much longer.