Felton Road 2023 Calvert Pinot Noir

Vintage
Spring temperatures and rainfall were normal with
only a couple of mild frost events which were
successfully fought. Flowering proceeded in warm
and relatively stable weather and resulted in setting a
normal sized crop across all three varieties. December
was warm and dry with these conditions further
exacerbated over the next several weeks until a
welcome rain event on February 21. With the
relatively dry conditions prevailing for the previous
months, this event and the periodic rain throughout
March (but still only 43mm recorded), did not present
any disease pressure issues and provided welcome
relief to the warm and somewhat previous stressful
conditions. Cooler night temperatures arrested the
ripening for slow and steady development. Harvest
commenced on March 23, and fears of an early, hot
and fast harvest were fortunately not realised.
Vinification
The unique gravity flow winery enabled the grapes to
be gently destemmed directly into open-top
fermenters without harsh pumping with
approximately 25% retained as whole clusters. Long
pre-fermentation soaks of 10 days prior to
fermentation with indigenous yeasts and punched
down by hand up to two times per day with a total
time on skins of 21-24 days. Pressed off and barrels
filled immediately by gravity to the underground
barrel cellars. The wine spent 16 months in barrel
(25% new French) with two rackings and no fin

Characteristic floral notes of rose petal and
violets are complimented by hints of cola,
cardamom and polished leather. A sweet core of
red cherry through the mid provides an elegant
backbone in this finesse driven wine. Being not
excessively fruited, allows the typical Calvert
mineral laden fine tannins to take centre stage,
leading to a sustained and memorable finish.

Central Otago, New Zealand

13.5%

2023

750mL

95/100
Delicately scented pinot noir with floral/rose petal, dried herb, mixed spices, chocolate box
and teasing complexity supported by a structure of gentle tannins. Seductively drinkable,
smooth-textured wine that lacks its usual precision.