Felton Road - Bannockburn - Chardonnay 2018
Felton Road is located in Bannockburn, a sub-region of the Central Otago in New-Zealand’s South Island. It is one of New Zealand's best known and most highly respected producers. Considerable research by Stewart Elms (hence the Elm tree logo) in 1991 identified the north facing slopes at the end of Felton Road, Bannockburn, as being one of the warmest and most ideal sites in Central Otago for the growing and production of premium wine. The estate comprises four vineyards on warm, north-facing slopes in Bannockburn: the original Elms vineyard (14.7 hectares), the Macmuir vineyard (5.1 hectares), the Calvert vineyard (4.6 hectares) and Cornish Point (7.6 hectares). The vineyards are managed by viticulturist Gareth King, and his team of dedicated staff. Since 2002 the vineyards have been managed organically and biodynamically; organic compost is made utilising the winery waste, and organic cow manure and straw. In 2010, all four vineyards were awarded full Demeter certification. Felton Road harvests grapes by hand, and follows the minimal intervention ethos in the winery: with gravity-fed systems, wild yeasts and no fining or filtration. Oak is a subtle companion.
Bannockburn Chardonnay 2018 is made from various clones of Chardonnay (Mendoza, B95, B548, UCD6), carefully hand-harvested from Cornish Point and The Elms vineyards. The grapes were whole bunch pressed with the juice immediately flowing to barrel by gravity with no settling. Fermentation in French oak (mostly well-seasoned barrels) with indigenous yeasts has produced a wine with considerable complexity. A long and complete indigenous malolactic fermentation with only periodic stirring of the lees (Batonnage) combined with 10 months on full lees has softened the acid for a rich and complex mouthfeel. The vintage is characterised by exceptional heat, making this wine already approachable.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
