Chardonnay 2006

Felton Road, tasting note (feltonroad.com – produktside feltonroad.com, hentet 2026-10-19): 2006 Felton Road Chardonnay – område: Bannockburn (Central Otago); drue: Chardonnay. Producentens noter (engelsk): Viticulture: 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 controlling vine vigour and to improve soil health and general biodiversity. All of our vineyards are managed organically and also utilise biodynamic practices throughout. Vintage & Vinification A selection was made in the vineyard of the more intensely flavoured Chardonnay grapes (Mendoza clone) for barrel fermentation. Fully ripe grapes were carefully hand harvested from mid to late April and whole bunch pressed to minimise phenolic pick-up and retain flavour intensity. The juice was then drained (without settling) directly to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation in French oak (only 10% new) with indigenous yeasts has produced a wine with considerable complexity. A long slow malolactic fermentation and regular stirring of the lees (Batonnage) has softened the acid for a rich creamy mouthfeel. Bouquet & Palate Colour of pale straw. A nose of stonefruits, with lemon and a distinct mineral edge. The palate leads with nutty stonefruit, following with crisp acid and cleansing minerality. Very rich and mouth-coating, yet with a bracing clean finish and plenty of grip. The tension is evident despite the riper flavours than we normally see in this wine; certainly no sign of new world fatness. A wine with considerable ageing potential. 2005 Felton Road Chardonnay Vinography, Alder Yarrow – Jan 07, USA In the mouth it has an interesting light salinity that makes perfect sense with the flavors of crushed shells and limestone that along with the excellent, steely acids give this wine a Chablislike quality. A light apple and citrus juice fruit flavor creeps in towards the back of the palate making for a lovely, dynamic drinking experience and the best New Zealand Chardonnay I've tasted. Score: 9/9.5. Vintage & vinification: A selection was made in the vineyard of the more intensely flavoured Chardonnay grapes (Mendoza clone) for barrel fermentation. Fully ripe grapes were carefully hand harvested from mid to late April and whole bunch pressed to minimise phenolic pick-up and retain flavour intensity. The juice was then drained (without settling) directly to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation in French oak (only 10% new) with indigenous yeasts has produced a wine with considerable complexity. […]