Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay Central Otago – 2024

Felton Road is one of the world’s most southerly producers, located in the Central Otago region of New Zealand’s south island. The winery was founded in 1991 and has been certified biodynamic since 2002. Their Block 2 vineyard was planted in 1992 and produces the estate’s finest Chardonnay each year.

“Exotic and spicy with whiff of wood and cinnamon. Savoury undertones of mushroom and earth expand to fill the mouth before acidity kicks in to tighten everything up, allowing nutty notes to emerge on the finish. Long but also quite firm and phenolic currently. The grip and grain is structured around a powerful core with very good length though it will need time to move past its brooding and closed phase” 96/100pts The Real Review

“Perfumed and subtle lemon and sliced apple aromas follow through to a medium body with so much finesse, yet it’s structured and lightly chewy. Long finish. Exceptional. From biodynamically grown grapes. Better in two or three years.” 97/100pts James Suckling

Winemaker tasting note

“Over 30 years on the free draining schist of Block 2, these vines have developed a Spartan sense of resilience. Limpid and fresh in the glass, initial notes of elderflower and chamomile lend a sense of finesse that belies the latent power of the palate. Block 2 is, as
ever, clear, uncompromising and linear. A taut line of acidity streaks across a palate awash with Meyer lemon and grapefruit rind, leading to a refreshing mineral finish. Chiselled, vibrant, crystalline. A wine that could come from nowhere else.” Blair Walter, winemaker