Felton Road Chardonnay Block 2 2022

Citrus blossom, lemon zest and hallmark elderflower aromas that are typical from the lower lying, sheltered and east sloping Block 2. The palate introduces delicate white peach and melon, leading to a very pure and restrained mid-palate. It’s fine, elegant and transparent: the schist soils making their mark. Indigenous yeast and malolactic, not fined or filtered, minimal influence of oak (all as usual), makes for a very precise and site expressive Chardonnay.

Felton Road farms four properties totaling 34 ha in the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. Block 2 was planted in 1992 and is positioned on a gentle east facing slope of deep angular schist soils immediately north of Block 3 on The Elms vineyard. Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity.

Mendoza clone Chardonnay from Block 2 was whole bunch pressed, settled overnight and flowed by gravity to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts in seasoned French oak (only 4% new) was followed by a long and complete malolactic over the spring and summer. After 16 months in barrel (11 months on gross lees), the wine was carefully racked to tank for bottling in early- September, 2023. The wine was not fined or filtered.