Felton Road
Block 5 Pinot Noir
Central Otago, Otago, South Island, New Zealand
Just an outstanding Pinot Noir from Nigel. Everything I expect and more from an amazing region for Pinot Noir.
If you make it to Queenstown, drive out to Central Otago for the vistas & two or three tasting appointments. These photos are from our visit and what would be their early fall. It’s God’s country.
Central Otago has the warm days, cool nights, soil structure and the long growing season that is perfect for Pinot Noir grapes.
The nose shows ripe, candied, floral; black cherries, baked plum, blue fruits, raspberries, blackberries, black raspberries, poached strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate, mixed berry fruit cola, soft spices, mix of red & black licorice, limestone powder, cherry kirsch liqueur notes, smokiness, understated, fresh tobacco, crushed volcanic powder, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, light cinnamon, lightly grilled meats with bright florals of; red, dark, blue, purple flowers framed in a field of violets.
The palate is complex, lush, lively and light on its feet. It’s flat out stunningly gorgeous! Wine candy. Ripe, candied, floral; black cherries, baked plum, blue fruits, raspberries, blackberries, black raspberries, poached strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate, mixed berry fruit cola, soft, dark spices with just the right shade of palate heat, mix of red & black licorice, limestone powder, dry crushed rocks, stones, dry top soils, cherry kirsch liqueur notes, smokiness, understated, fresh pipe tobacco, crushed volcanic powder, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, light cinnamon, lightly grilled meats with bright florals of; red, dark, blue, purple flowers framed in a field of violets. If you are an acid head like me, the acidity is one of the reasons you love the wine. It’s like a cool, gentle river. The long finish last minutes. It is a tremendous, glorious balance of fruit and earth that slides into mid minerals & dark spice.
If you haven’t heard or only thought about this producer’s wines, you owe it to yourself to buy a bottle & see firsthand how incredible they are, both Chardonnay & Pinot. I’ve had other more expensive Pinot Noirs that were not as good as this 2014.
Photos of; my Q&A walk the property with owner and winemaker Nigel Greening, concrete tanks, open top fermenters and their beautiful early fall vistas from the property.
Just an outstanding Pinot Noir from Nigel. Everything I expect and more from an amazing region for Pinot Noir.
If you make it to Queenstown, drive out to Central Otago for the vistas & two or three tasting appointments. These photos are from our visit and what would be their early fall. It’s God’s country.
Central Otago has the warm days, cool nights, soil structure and the long growing season that is perfect for Pinot Noir grapes.
The nose shows ripe, candied, floral; black cherries, baked plum, blue fruits, raspberries, blackberries, black raspberries, poached strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate, mixed berry fruit cola, soft spices, mix of red & black licorice, limestone powder, cherry kirsch liqueur notes, smokiness, understated, fresh tobacco, crushed volcanic powder, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, light cinnamon, lightly grilled meats with bright florals of; red, dark, blue, purple flowers framed in a field of violets.
The palate is complex, lush, lively and light on its feet. It’s flat out stunningly gorgeous! Wine candy. Ripe, candied, floral; black cherries, baked plum, blue fruits, raspberries, blackberries, black raspberries, poached strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate, mixed berry fruit cola, soft, dark spices with just the right shade of palate heat, mix of red & black licorice, limestone powder, dry crushed rocks, stones, dry top soils, cherry kirsch liqueur notes, smokiness, understated, fresh pipe tobacco, crushed volcanic powder, clove, nutmeg, vanilla, light cinnamon, lightly grilled meats with bright florals of; red, dark, blue, purple flowers framed in a field of violets. If you are an acid head like me, the acidity is one of the reasons you love the wine. It’s like a cool, gentle river. The long finish last minutes. It is a tremendous, glorious balance of fruit and earth that slides into mid minerals & dark spice.
If you haven’t heard or only thought about this producer’s wines, you owe it to yourself to buy a bottle & see firsthand how incredible they are, both Chardonnay & Pinot. I’ve had other more expensive Pinot Noirs that were not as good as this 2014.
Photos of; my Q&A walk the property with owner and winemaker Nigel Greening, concrete tanks, open top fermenters and their beautiful early fall vistas from the property.
Excellent Pinot Noir from NZ, silky
Excellent Pinot Noir from NZ, silky
1 person found it helpfulApr 14th, 2019
Block 5 is now considered to be the equal of the fabled Block 3. I know Block 3 will cellar for 10 plus years from personal experience but have not done this with Block 5 yet, but am sure it will age effortlessly.
Block 5 is now considered to be the equal of the fabled Block 3. I know Block 3 will cellar for 10 plus years from personal experience but have not done this with Block 5 yet, but am sure it will age effortlessly.
Feb 1st, 2017
Sublime - so much better than first bottle 2 years ago. Garnet with a slight orange rim. Brooding nose of mushroom, red and black cherry, and wood spice. Some funk. Medium bodied. Super elegant and textural. Dark fruit, spicy plums, sour cherry. Super long with a final sweet note. Complex and powerful but incredibly light on its feet. Singing!
Sublime - so much better than first bottle 2 years ago. Garnet with a slight orange rim. Brooding nose of mushroom, red and black cherry, and wood spice. Some funk. Medium bodied. Super elegant and textural. Dark fruit, spicy plums, sour cherry. Super long with a final sweet note. Complex and powerful but incredibly light on its feet. Singing!
Dec 3rd, 2019Great nose. Sweet red fruit. Strawberries, sandalwood, cinnamon,. Very pure. Medium bodied. Elegant.
Great nose. Sweet red fruit. Strawberries, sandalwood, cinnamon,. Very pure. Medium bodied. Elegant.
May 10th, 2019
Block 5 is the earthiest of the three Pinots I tried, the Calvert was the most closed, but also the most lifted and lightest of the bunch, whereas the brannockburn estate blend has a great mix of herbs, sage, and rosemary along with the fruit. All very young but an impressive youth. Great stuff, potent, and fine.
Block 5 is the earthiest of the three Pinots I tried, the Calvert was the most closed, but also the most lifted and lightest of the bunch, whereas the brannockburn estate blend has a great mix of herbs, sage, and rosemary along with the fruit. All very young but an impressive youth. Great stuff, potent, and fine.
May 17th, 2016Jeffrey had this 3 years ago
Jeffrey had this 3 years ago
May 18th, 2021Jeffrey had this 4 years ago
Jeffrey had this 4 years ago
Apr 16th, 2021