2014 Felton Road Pinot Noir Calvert Vineyard
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Tasting notes
(from a 2001 planting on deep silt soil that's not too different from Felton Road's Block 3; vinified with 22% whole clusters): Healthy medium red. Slightly darker and less open to inspection than the Bannockburn Pinot; more brooding on the nose but still more red fruit than black, with attractive floral/spicy lift. A rather tight, youthfully compact wine with a strong element of spicy underbrush and modest sweetness to its dark raspberry and strawberry flavors. Still a bit edgy owing to its firm acid/tannin spine and mineral underpinning but finishes with subtle length. This may ultimately merit an outstanding rating.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Pale ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Calvert has pronounced, youthful aromas of Bing cherries, black raspberries and mulberries with hints of earth, menthol and sage. Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and lively on the palate, it offers layers of bramble berry and earthy flavors, finishing with good length and chewy texture.
Heavier clay soil than the Banockburn. 25% whole bunch. 18 months in oak for all the wines, one-third new. Smells a little darker fruited than the Banockburn blend. More savoury and more structured but still already so supple. Elegant and long and great restraint without loss of fruit in the middle palate. (JH)