Accolades & Reviews 2007 . . .

92 points
Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 5 Central Otago 2005
Velvety, with outstanding depth to ripe black cherry, black plum and cinnamon flavors. Stone, tobacco and cedar nuances highlight the fruit, with bright acidity and graceful tannins that sashay through the finish. Drink now through 2011. – Daniel Sogg April 30, 2007

91 points
Felton Road Pinot Noir Block 3 Central Otago 2005
Lithe and lovely, with supple intensity to fragrant sandalwood, cinnamon, stone and pomegranate flavors. Plum, mineral and subtle oak notes linger, with streamlined tannins and tart acidity. Drink now through 2011. – Daniel Sogg April 30, 2007

91 points
Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago 2005
Stylish and very intense, with outstanding concentration to an impressive array of pomegranate, spice, soya and stone flavors. Cedary oak and firm, fine-grained tannins underscore the finish. Drink now through 2011. – Daniel Sogg April 30, 2007

Exceptional
2005 Felton Road Pinot Noir, Central Otago Block 3 ($63)
A truly exotic spice cake aroma with dark fruit, pungent Near East herb and spice notes. Great acid balance for aging.

2005 Felton Road Pinot Noir, Central Otago ($43)
Fresh herb and fruit, leaves, tea, wild spices and stunning complexity. Dense fruit with stylish medium weight. A New Zealand wine of substance and character that will age nicely.

91 points
Felton Road 2005 Block 5 Pinot Noir Central Otago
Despite a slight hint of reduction on the nose, this often burly bottling is fairly open and accessible. The complex bouquet includes hints of green tobacco, dried spices and dark chocolate to go along with ripe plum fruit, while the mouthfeel is supple and richly textured. Drink now-2012, if you can manage to track down one of the less than 300 bottles imported to the U.S. Imported by Wilson Daniels Ltd. -J.C. May 2007

90 points
Felton Road 2005 Pinot Noir Central Otago
Another top effort from winemaker Blair Walter, Felton Road's 2005 Pinot Noir features masses of plum and blackberry fruit, hints of tea and smoke, and a long, mouthwatering finish. It's a big, muscular wine that keeps a sense of elegance to its robust personality and flavors. Drink now-2015. The most plentiful of the Felton Road Pinot Noirs, with 150 cases imported. Imported by Wilson Daniels Ltd. -J.C. May 2007

Explore New Zealand with this Quick Kiwi Primer

New Zealand is a hot spot for great wine. Comprised of two islands -- north and south -- this small nation is home to majestic mountains, pristine beaches, and increasingly world class vineyards. From Sauvignon Blanc to Syrah, Kiwi country has it all.

Whites have driven interest in New Zealand wines, but there is palpable excitement these days over reds including Pinot Noir and Syrah.

For trendy Pinot Noir aficionados desiring aromatic, lush wines, look to the South Island's mountainous region of Central Otago. As the world's most southerly wine region, conditions are extreme. Pinot Noir (as well as Riesling and Pinot Gris) thrive in this tough-love

environment, though.
Wines to buy:
Central Otago

2005 Felton Road Pinot Noir ($40)

2005 Mt. Difficulty "Roaring Meg" Pinot Noir ($18)

2006 Peregrine Pinot Gris ($26)

FELTON ROAD WINERY, CENTRAL OTAGO, NZ:
Overall I found Felton Road's wines to be excellent, and while there are one or two other producers in the country who might equal them, in my experience, none of them surpass Felton Road in quality or personality.

NOTES

2006 Felton Road Elms Chardonnay, Bannockburn, Central Otago
Pale yellow-gold in the glass, this wine has a nose of wet slate and petrichor (the way the world smells just after a rain). On the palate the wine is an interesting combination of mineral, specifically limestone qualities and unripe apple and pear fruit flavors intertwined by great acids. Score: 8.5/9. Cost: $30.

2005 Felton Road Chardonnay, Bannockburn, Central Otago
Yellow gold in color, this wine has a classic nose of cold cream and buttercream pastry aromas. In the mouth it has an interesting light salinity that makes perfect sense with the flavors of crushed shells and limestone that along with the excellent, steely acids give this wine a Chablis-like quality. A light apple and citrus juice fruit flavor creeps in towards the back of the palate making for a lovely, dynamic drinking experience and the best New Zealand Chardonnay I've tasted. Score: 9/9.5. Cost: $32.

2005 Felton Road Pinot Noir, Bannockburn, Central Otago
A cloudy, medium garnet color in the glass, this wine has a rich, spicy nose of deep red fruit of the plum and cranberry varieties. In the mouth it has a gorgeous silky texture and volume on the tongue with great acidity and primary flavors of fresh and dried cranberries , dried cherries, and a significant and resonant flavor of earth that penetrates and echoes through the lovely finish. Score: 9/9.5. Cost: $45.

93 Points
2006 Felton Road Pinot Noir, Central Otago, NZ
A vibrant and pure Pinot Noir from the most southerly wine region in the world. Brims with fruit intensity led by cherry, strawberry, floral and fresh herb aromas. Impressive fruit purity and density in the mouth with tangy and spicy layers and racy acidity. Excellent length. Grill some salmon.