Somehow now on the cusp of November, it's always the point of the year where we sit in excitement as boxes of Felton Road's second wave of single-site releases are wheeled through the doors. So brilliantly imbued with their own unique sense of site, aspect and soil, harnessed within one of Central Otago's driest and consistently warm subregions, the Pinot Noir labels like the Calvert, Block 3 and Block 5 are glimmering gems of organic hand-harvested viticulture.
The 'Calvert' vineyard sits atop deep silty soils with a thin top layer of loess, pushing forth a seductive open-knit red that plays with notes of violet, pomegranate, plum and smooth amaro. The Block 5 is a north-facing vineyard that combines that loess and silt with a large portion of schist, leading to a more compact structural Pinot that takes its time in the glass before unfurling with morello, dried herb, rhubarb and nutmeg. Finally, the Block 3 (for which we have received a very small allocation of magnums) are vines with 33 years of age behind them, situated on a gentle north-facing slope influenced by the calcerous seams beneath the soil - the most rich and intense of the three in its current state, driven by dark chocolate, leather, forest floor and gentle waves of smoke.
Not to forget the Chardonnay fans out there, we also received a tiny slither of the Block 2 and Block 6 beauties, the former a lesson in bright acidic complexity and citric drive (no doubt coming from its Mendoza vines), and the latter holding more enveloping oak and nutty delights, backed up by saline edge and creamy lemon curd.
As one final top-up before they disappear, we've grabbed hold of the last bottles of Bannockburn and MacMuir Pinot Noirs from the release earlier this year, should you have missed out or just feel the general Felton temptation (no one would blame you). All options on special for the coming week only!
Calvert Pinot Noir 2025
On special for $98 ($109 RRP)
(Limited availability)
"Calvert Vineyard is located on Felton Road and is just 1km east of The Elms Vineyard and the winery. The soils at Calvert are deep heavy silts with a thin layer of loess topsoil. 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. As is so often the case with Calvert, what impresses most is the wine’s subtlety and precision; patience is rewarded as the site methodically reveals itself. Deep, serious, complex – a reflection of the vines’ travails following the frost of 3 November? Perhaps; but these are descriptors which attach themselves to Calvert with regularity - much as ‘violets’, ‘pomegranate’, and ‘amaro’ do – all apt in this wine. Characteristic clay-derived tannins deftly hold the palate, relaxing into a silky finish. In 2025, frost robbed Calvert of some of its yield but none of its character." - Winemaker Notes
Block 5 Pinot Noir 2025
On special for $139 ($155 RRP)
(Limited availability)
"Block 5 is situated on a gentle north facing slope in the heart of The Elms vineyard and was planted in 1993. The soils vary up the slope from heavy loess and silt, clay lakebed deposits, and angular schist gravels. Immediately complex, the Block 5 bouquet runs the full and essential spectrum from green through red to black. The 2025 flows across the palate with nonchalance; the interplay of morello and rose petal characters is so precise and beguiling as to belie the structure that undergirds it. In their fourth decade, these vines are approaching homeostasis and the wine reflects this. The quiet confidence of the 2025 - the intricacy of its expression in this embryonic phase - calls to mind the profound 2021." - Winemaker Notes
Very limited magnums also available - Available for $390
Block 2 Chardonnay 2025
On special for $80 ($89 RRP)
(Very limited availability)
"Block 2 was planted in 1992 and is positioned on a gentle east facing slope of deep angular schist gravel soils immediately north of Block 3 on The Elms vineyard A wine with much to say but never speaking too loudly. Detailed aromatics command attention: jasmine, lemon balm, sage leaf. The palate is completely unhurried in revealing itself. Tonic acidity provides length, building to a chalky finish. The 33-year-old, own rooted Mendoza vines weathered the dry summer of 2025 with ease. A decidedly calm rendition of Block 2, fruit and acid in perfect balance." - Winemaker Notes
Block 6 Chardonnay 2025
On special for $80 ($89 RRP)
(Very limited availability)
"Block 6 was planted in 1993 and is positioned on a north facing slope immediately south of Block 5 on The Elms vineyard. Its higher elevation (282-300m) and steeper slope favourably intercepts the sun but results in it being more wind exposed. Enjoying their northerly exposure, the vines of Block 6 produce a wine whose aromas evoke the late afternoon sunlight. Golden apple, pistachio, and acacia flower are coaxed from the glass. The palate is fine yet smooth; 17 months of elevage in neutral oak have relaxed the wine and honed its edges. This is a Block 6 in a distinctly ‘reposado’ style. Unforced and elegant, finishing with intricate notes of chamomile and cardamom." - Winemaker Notes
Plus -
Block 3 Pinot Noir 2025 MAGNUM 1500ml
Available for $390
(Very limited availability)
"These 2025 Felton Road releases have a succulence and detail that you’ll really love. This wine, from the renowned Block 3 in the heart of The Elms vineyard, shows pure dark and red cherry raspberry coulis, dark plum and a flash of cranberry over hints of Medina spice, pressed flowers, earth, rose petal, cinnamon, cured meats, dried citrus rind, amaro, wild thyme and ground stone. There’s a wonderful stony composure and clarity to this year’s release, a sense of grace and savoury intent. All the flavours mesh seamlessly with its fine, silty tannins and vivid mineral line. It’s not a wine of percussive flavours but one of nuance and subtlety, inviting the drinker to pay attention. And that’s a beautiful thing." - 97 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2025
On special for $80 ($89 RRP)
(Final bottles)
"A distinct dried rose perfume here along with rosemary and dried herbs, cherry and raspberry, baking spices and aniseed. It’s medium-bodied, a juicy and sweet attack of fruit, tempered by some more earthy and autumnal things, a fine-grained powdery grip to tannin, a sappy feel too, with some blood orange on a spicy finish of excellent length. A lovely and energetic wine. It drinks well now, though no hurry, and that perfume is quite something. Again, the best Felton Road Bannockburn I’ve tasted, or so I think." - 95 Points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front
MacMuir Point Noir 2025
On special for $110 ($125 RRP)
(Final bottles)
"A wonderfully perfumed pinot noir from the MacMuir vineyard, 1km to the east of the Elms vineyard and winery on deep, heavy silt soils. Fruit tones of dark cherry, raspberry and a slide of damson plum along with hints of exotic spice, forest floor, cured meats, cinnamon, subtle oak, Luxardo cherries and earth. Fruit pure and finely balanced, with a core of ripe dark cherry and wild raspberry fruits, a fine mist of toasty barrel spice, fine, chalky, kinetic tannins and a vivid mineral line. Flavours draw out gracefully and with sustain on the finish." - 96 Points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
If you wish to buy any of these wines, please use the links above
Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions.
// Special prices valid until Saturday 7th of November