Description
"Felton Road farms four properties totalling 34 ha in the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. This wine is from MacMuir vineyard which is just 1 km east of the Elms vineyard and winery, and just 300m west of Calvert. The vineyard possesses a higher vine density, a range of clones and deep heavy silt soils. Meticulous summer management of a single vertical shoot positioned (VSP) canopy ensures even and early fruit maturity. Shoot thinning, shoot positioning, leaf plucking, bunch thinning and harvest are all carried out by hand to ensure optimum quality fruit. Cover crops are planted between rows to assist in vine balance and to improve soil health and general biodiversity. A distinctive nose that is deeply fruited, very integrated and with its own distinctive story - characteristic of the first few bottlings from MacMuir. The palate also comes over as typically bold: deep, distinguished, but urging that it wants to be put away for a while. The heavy soils of MacMuir contribute to the alluring texture and depth of tannins – completely countering its younger vine origins. A new level of maturity from this vineyard, signalling what is to come in future vintages." - Winemaker Notes
"A shy nose of ground spice, rosemary and violet unfurls from the dense core of savoury black fruit. Complex but also compact. The palate is a juxtaposition of very sweet, plush fruit with a generous personality against a backdrop of grainy wood spice, cocoa and cinnamon which coats the mouth. Relatively forward in style with gobs of intense fruit coating some serious tannins which also sit quite far forward. A crowd-pleasing style with plenty of substance and impressively concentrated though currently lacking the finesse which will hopefully come as it settles." - 95 Points, Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review
