Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2003

Felton Road, tasting note (feltonroad.com – produktside feltonroad.com, hentet 2026-10-19): 2003 Felton Road Chardonnay Barrel Fermented – område: Bannockburn (Central Otago); drue: Chardonnay. Producentens noter (engelsk): 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 during mid 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 with indigenous yeasts has produced a wine with considerable complexity. Malolactic fermentation and regular stirring of the lees (Batonnage) has softened the acid for a rich creamy mouthfeel. We are pleased to report that no fining and only course filtration was required prior to bottling. Extensive use of cover cropping, organic compost, lower yields and much lower use of new oak produced a wine which is rich and concentrated, but with an emphasis on minerality and complexity rather than tropical fruit. Oak is pleasingly absent as a flavour component, but contributing considerably to the intricacy of the wine’s structure. We think this should be a wine of excellent cellaring potential.