FELTON ROAD

2016 Bannockburn Chardonnay

Grapes Chardonnay
Colour White
Origin New Zealand, South Island
ABV 13.5%

The 2016 Bannockburn Chardonnay has a refined, quite generous bouquet with almond-tinged citrus fruit, turning more tropical with time courtesy of mango and light tangerine scents. The palate is well balanced with a supple opening but a little lower in acidity than I expected, hence the finish just misses the bite and tension that is needed to counter the rich, slightly honeyed fruit. Still a highly enjoyable Chardonnay, but it could be better. Drinking range: 2018 - 2026 Rating: 89 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Nov 2018)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

Or, check the RELATED PRODUCTS below for different vintages or wines of a similar style.


Floral aromas, pure, citrus-oriented fruit with a flicker of white peach, mineral precision and seamless acidity. Ageing in oak barrels for 17 months (not new) has given a lovely silky finesse to the palate. Harmony in a glass. Rating: 93 The Wine Gang - www.thewinegang.com (Mar 2018)

Delicate notes of pencil shavings and lemon curd mark the nose of the 2016 Chardonnay. It's a plump, medium-bodied wine with flavors that incorporate hints of stone fruit but ultimately lean toward the grapefruit and lemon side of things without being sharp. Those citrus notes are cushioned by tea-like complexity of mouthfeel, extending through the silky finish. Drinking range: 2018 - 2025 Rating: 92 Joe Czerwinski, www.robertparker.com (Feb 2018)

This has been nicely pinned back into an elegant and fresh style that focuses on bright stone fruits and lemon citrus. The palate has fleshy, pure fruit appeal with a nice spicy build of oak into the finish. Drink now. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Nov 2017)

Felton Road

Felton Road and Rippon are undoubtedly the two leading vineyards in Central Otago, both making Pinots that are finely textured with fresh fruit flavours, rather than the 'fruit bombs' that so many others produce. Felton Road has been totally organic and biodynamic across their three Bannockburn vineyards since 2005. They have been certified by Demeter since 2009. After that there are more differences than similarities.
While Rippon, at Wanaka is on schist, Felton Road in Banockburn is on clay and calcareous loess. It is also very much in the rain shadow of the Main Divide. Irrigation is used at Rippon to help establish young vines, but dry farming is possible once the vines get their roots down, while at Felton Road permanent irrigation is required for the entire vineyard.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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