At a glance

Producer

Felton Road

Region

Central Otago, New Zealand

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$60-$80

Tasting profile

Red cherry, raspberry, savory forest floor notes, subtle spice and earthiness

Evolution: Fruit will soften, earth and forest floor notes will deepen, more secondary umami notes will develop

At peak: Complex layers of red fruit, earth, subtle minerality, and silky tannins with lingering finish

Structure

Acidity

High, lively and balancing

Tannins

Medium to firm, well-integrated

Alcohol

13.5%

Aging potential

15-20 years from vintage with potential for complex tertiary development

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2027 to 2045

Optimal window

2025 to 2048

Current status

Maturing, drinking well but will improve

Current condition

Fresh, vibrant fruit with emerging complexity

Felton Road’s Block 3 Pinot Noir is from a cool climate vineyard with excellent terroir expression. The 2020 vintage is considered very good, offering concentrated fruit balanced by bright acidity and structured tannins. This combination supports long-term aging and gradual flavor development, typically peaking after 7-10 years in bottle.

Food pairing

Roast duck or game birds, mushroom risotto, grilled salmon, aged cheeses like Comté, and dishes with earthy mushrooms or truffle accents.

Serving

Serving temperature

15-17°C / 59-63°F

Decant

Yes (30-45 minutes) — To allow the wine to open and soften tannins for better aromatic expression

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Felton Road employs organic viticulture with biodynamic influences, uses solar energy for winery operations, practices water conservation via drip irrigation and rainwater capture, recycles winery waste, and uses lightweight bottles and recyclable packaging to minimize environmental impact.

Felton Road is recognized as one of New Zealand's leading sustainable wine producers. Their commitment to organic farming reduces chemical inputs and promotes biodiversity. Energy use is minimized via renewable sources and efficient winery design. Water use is carefully managed to reduce consumption. Packaging innovation further reduces carbon emissions. While export transport adds to emissions, the producer actively works to offset and reduce its footprint.