2009 Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 5
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Bragato identified Central Otago in the late 19th century. There was a gold medal for late-19th-century New Zealand ‘burgundy’ from Central Otago in Sydney apparently. Nearest to continental climate in NZ. Bannockburn is warmer than Gibbston. Soil variation and viticulture are very important here. No fining or filtration. Bright ruby. Sweet and flattering with some violet aromas. Some chunkiness on the end. (JR)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
At first: Dark crimson. Very fine, heady and opulent on the nose. Lovely compact allure. Sweet start and beautifully sculpted. Reminds me a bit of a top Ata Rangi. Very complete, quite ready. Starts sweet, finishes dry. Long. Covers all bases. Retaste: Very dark. Beetroot juice. Rather simple. Though I'm sure in a local context it's impressive… Very sweet and dense. (Score 16) (JR)
Medium-deep ruby-purple colored, the 2009 Block 5 Pinot Noir is a little mute, offering delicate notes of black cherries, blackberries and mulberries with nuances of Provence herbs, underbrush and soy. Medium to full bodied, it gives plenty of mouth-filling fruit layers supported by refreshing acid and a medium to firm level of fine-grained tannins. The finish is long with some toasty / savory notes showing through. Approachable now, it should drink best 2012 to 2018+. Importer: Wilson Daniels Ltd., St. Helena, CA; www.wilsondaniels.com
Bright, deep medium red. Aromas of dark raspberry, smoke, earth and flinty minerality showed more pinot lift and perfume with aeration. Then silky, suave and dry on the palate, with superb depth to its youthful, fleshy raspberry fruit. Finishes very long and subtle, with impressively suave tannins. This initially showed less energy than my Block 3 bottle but gained in lift with 24 hours in the recorked bottle and became less earth-bound. These two wines, from Felton Road's estate Elms vineyard in Bannockburn, are consistently among New Zealand's most exciting pinots.