Winemaker's Comment - May 2005

I have to confess that a year ago I was nervous about this release. We were fighting frosts and harvesting a late and cold season which had devastated a lot of Central Otago vineyards. We had worked long and hard with the vines to do everything we could to help them get there. We buoyed ourselves up with the thought that we make our best wines in the cooler vintages. Cooler, but this cold??

A year later and I can take satisfaction in what everybody here has achieved. If we are measured by what we can do in a difficult year, then I’m delighted to be measured by these wines. At this early stage, it appears to be somewhere between the concentrated and plummy 2002’s and the more elegant and sophisticated 2003’s, with perhaps a little of the wild and complex characters of the 2000’s. All in all, a very exciting vintage for us! The 2004 Chardonnay had a very long fermentation and similarly long and slow malolactic. This was a characteristic of the excellent 2002 Chardonnays so we have been positive throughout the wines struggle to completion. As we hoped, the wine seems all the better for it and while only recently bottled, we expect it to be very well received. Our regime of no juice settling, wild yeast, full malolactic and minimal use of new oak is really paying off with a complex and age-worthy Chardonnay that shows a steely backbone too often missing in this grape.

As mentioned in our last newsletter the quantities of the 2004 Rieslings were very limited and sold out quickly. As a result we unfortunately have no further stocks to offer in this release. That left just the 2004 Pinot Noir and 2004 Chardonnay Barrel Fermented to offer, which seemed an offering long on quality, but decidedly short on variety. So, we thought for the first time we would offer a mixed 12 bottle case including a bottle each of the 2004 Pinot Noir Block 3 and 2003 Pinot Noir Block 5. These cases are obviously very limited and will be allocated on a first in basis. We’ve called it the UTC case, UTC being a common term used at Felton Road and at tastings where we usually have something special Under The Counter!

The Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration held at the end of January was a very successful and fun event. We were delighted to receive Jancis Robinson MW at the winery amongst many other influential writers, wine trade and consumers from all over the world. For those who missed out, the 2006 event will be held on January 26 and 27, so mark your diaries and plan a visit to Central Otago! Contact the winery and we will be sure you are sent the registration information.

The 2005 vintage is shaping up well considering the various weather conditions thrown at us. It has been another trying and frustrating season with a very cool spring and what can only be described as the December from Hell. This is the critical flowering and fruit set month, but our diverse range of clones and rootstocks has paid dividends in terms of the variation between flowering dates. The particular window of weather that each clone either enjoyed or not, determined the success of the fruit set and potential yields. Right when we had all of our guests (many from all around the world) visiting for the Pinot Noir Celebration and the few weeks either side, we experienced very stable and hot weather with most days over 30oC and up to 37oC. This was quite amusing as we were showing the many visitors our supposed cool climate. Since then it has been much more even, though slow and we have the nervousness that comes from a very late pick. But the bunches look very exciting, small and concentrated, and our 2004 experience gives us some confidence that a small late harvest might lead to some truly exceptional wines.

Again, we have a busy schedule of visits around the world this year including Pinot Noir Celebrations to attend in Japan and Oregon. We’re also very pleased to be traveling to San Francisco, New York and London for the launch of “The Twelve” – a group of like minded New Zealand wineries that have got together for mainly international promotion activity and to pave the way for the whole New Zealand wine industry into new market areas. Visit www.familyoftwelve.co.nz for more information.

We have also just confirmed the first airline placement for Felton Road with our 2003 Pinot Noir placed on the First Class list of Qatar Airways. Our 2000 and 2001 vintages of our sister brand Cornish Point have been on the First Class list of British Airways for some time. Also we received a request for our wines from what must be Paris’ most exclusive restaurant: Lucas Carton. Having seen a number of flattering comments on our wines in the French press in the last couple of years, it is great to see the interest from the top restaurant end increasing.

Lastly, if you are coming our way and intend to drop in, please give us a call. We’d love to see you and if you call first, we’ll make sure we can have time to show you around.

Cheers
Blair Walter
Winemaker