Felton Road New Releases
FELTON ROAD wines is located in Bannockburn, Central Otago in New Zealand, the most southerly wine growing region in the World. Here, vineyards are nestled into small macroclimates totally surrounded by high mountains, many of which are snowcapped all year round. Though the location is on the edge of sustainable viticulture these macroclimates consistently combine hot days, cool nights and long dry autumns. The latitude of 45 degrees south is similar to the Willamette Valley in Oregon and some of the finest wine regions of France. Both of Felton Road's Pinot Noirs are breakthrough efforts in New Zealand, and compete with the finest wines being made in California, Oregon and Burgundy's Cote D'Or.
— ROBERT PARKER, THE WINE ADVOCATE
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It’s hard not to argue the success of Felton Road and wonder why, year in year out, it’s impossible to say no to their new releases. A review of Felton’s track record suggests consistency is the key. To be clear, we’re talking consistency at a remarkably high, ‘all-black’ type level.
A fair approach to pricing, despite the global success of the brand, cannot be ignored either yet that’s just another area where the ‘consistency’ mantra is in play. Add in the incredibly long tenure of winemaker Blair Walter and, well… you see a pretty consistent steady theme here!
Former Wine Spectator Chief Editor James Suckling has given five of the last six Felton Block 3 Pinot releases he has reviewed a 97-point rating. Master of Wine Bob Campbell has given four of the last six Block 3’s a 97-point rating (the other two vintages 2019 and 2017 topped the charts at 98pts and 99pts respectively). One might ask though, is consistency truly measured by focusing on the successes of the strongest link in the chain?
If you’re wondering about the weakest, then this is arguably where Felton wins over many of its admirers. The standard Bannockburn Pinot might be the ‘base’ wine in the lineup however it hasn’t taken a backward step despite the acclaim of the Blocks and the introduction of the mid-tier Pinots, Calvert, Cornish Point and MacMuir. In the past six vintages the Bannockburn has scored 95 points or better from Bob Campbell, culminating in last year’s 2022 version rating 97-points and ranking as Bob’s #1 2022 Pinot from Central Otago and indeed to date the #1 Pinot in the country.
So how did the 2022 versions of Block 3, Block 5 and MacMuir perform?
They simply ranked #3, #4 and #5 of NZ Pinots from 2022! How do they do it? One word comes to mind…
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