Chardonnay Block 2 2009

Felton Road, tasting note (feltonroad.com – produktside feltonroad.com, hentet 2026-10-19): 2009 Felton Road Chardonnay Block 2 – område: Bannockburn (Central Otago); drue: Chardonnay. Enkeltmark ifølge arket: The Elms Block 2 (The Elms vineyard). Producentens noter (engelsk): Tasting note: The nose is fresh and perfumed expressing spring flowers and citrus blossom. The palate is very textural, filling the mouth, yet the flavour keeps its delicate poise with honeysuckle and citrus flowers overlying the usual crisp acidity. Oak is very much in the background, if detectable at all. While the power within the palate will undoubtedly come forward over the coming months and years, the subtlety and delicacy continue to be the driving force. The combination of texture with the sheer poise of the wine is an exciting counterpoint. Vineyard & viticulture: Felton Road farms three properties totaling 32 ha in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. 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 Vinification: Mendoza clone Chardonnay from Block 2 was whole bunch pressed and drained immediately (without settling) to barrel in the underground cellar. Fermentation was with indigenous yeasts in French oak (only 18% new), with a long and complete malolactic over the spring and summer, with periodic stirring of the lees. After 12 months in barrel the wine was racked to tank for a further 6 months before bottling in August 2010.