Felton Road Pinot Noir Calvert 2023

Felton Road farms 32 hectares in Central Otago, the world's most southern wine region, at the southern end of New Zealand's South Island. The estate works biodynamically and vinifies with a light hand. This single-vineyard Pinot Noir comes from the Calvert site in the Bannockburn sub-region, where free-draining schist and loess soils and a dry, semi-continental climate at altitude give a wide day to night temperature swing. That swing ripens the fruit fully while holding the bright acidity and fine tannin that give Central Otago Pinot Noir its weight and structure. Ageing in French oak barrels, with slow oxygen exchange through the staves, settles the tannins and adds a light cedar frame without masking the fruit. The wine is deep ruby. The nose shows dark cherry, wild berry and plum over a savoury, earthy note and a turn of black pepper. The palate is concentrated and firm for a Pinot Noir, with ripe red and black fruit, fine grained tannin and a long, mineral finish. Serve at 16 degrees in a wide glass. It suits roast duck, game and beef fillet.