2022 Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir

The 2022 Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir is a benchmark expression of Central Otago Pinot, crafted from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards in the famed Bannockburn subregion. Known for its purity of fruit and effortless balance, this wine captures the tension between vibrant freshness and quiet, layered complexity. It stands out as a reference point for New Zealand Pinot Noir, consistently praised for its precision and sense of place.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Bannockburn Pinot Noir shows a bright, translucent ruby hue with youthful purple highlights at the rim. The nose is immediately seductive, offering lifted aromas of wild red cherries, crushed raspberries and ripe strawberries, intertwined with violets, subtle rose petal, baking spice, and a gentle hint of forest floor and mineral. On the palate, it is medium-bodied yet concentrated, with silky, fine-grained tannins and a vibrant line of acidity that keeps the wine taut and energetic. Flavours of red cherry, cranberry and raspberry are layered with savoury notes of dried herbs, gentle earthiness, and a touch of oak-derived spice—think clove, nutmeg and a whisper of vanilla. The finish is long, pure and mineral, suggesting excellent balance and aging potential. Enjoyable now for its vivid fruit and fragrance, this vintage will continue to evolve beautifully over the next 8–10 years, gaining more savoury complexity and textural depth.

Production
Felton Road farms its Bannockburn vineyards on the steep, schist and loess soils of Central Otago, a cool, semi-continental region that produces Pinot Noirs of natural intensity and freshness. The estate is fully certified organic and biodynamic, with meticulous hand work in the vineyard and low yields to ensure concentration and balance. Grapes for the Bannockburn Pinot Noir are hand-harvested parcel by parcel at optimal ripeness, then sorted carefully before vinification. Fermentation typically relies on indigenous yeasts, with a portion of whole bunches included to add aromatic lift and structural complexity. The wine is aged in French oak barrels, with a modest proportion of new oak to frame the fruit without overwhelming it, and is bottled with minimal fining or filtration to preserve texture, nuance and terroir expression.

Food & Serving
This Pinot Noir is a versatile gastronomic partner, particularly well suited to dishes that echo its balance of elegance and savouriness. It shines alongside roasted duck or chicken, herb-crusted lamb, seared duck breast, game birds, and richer fish preparations such as roasted or grilled salmon. Mushroom-based risottos, truffle dishes, and earthy vegetarian plates with lentils or root vegetables also make excellent companions. Serve at 14–16°C; a light chill helps highlight the wine’s precision and freshness. For young bottles, decanting for 30–60 minutes is recommended to allow the aromatics to open and the tannins to soften, especially if pairing with more structured or richly sauced dishes.

Producer
Felton Road, established in the 1990s in Central Otago’s Bannockburn subregion, has become one of New Zealand’s most respected and internationally acclaimed Pinot Noir specialists. Pioneering quality-driven, terroir-focused viticulture in the region, the estate was an early adopter of organic and then biodynamic farming, helping set the standard for sustainable fine wine production in New Zealand. Its single-vineyard and Bannockburn bottlings are regularly cited in international press as among the Southern Hemisphere’s leading expressions of Pinot Noir, cementing Felton Road’s status as a reference producer and a key ambassador for Central Otago on the world stage.