# Bannockburn Pinot Noir (2020)

- **Producer:** Felton Road
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Central Otago, New Zealand
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €70
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, plum, violet, herbaceous, black pepper, vanilla, cloves, toast, cedar, forest floor, mushroom, game

## About this wine

Felton Road is a pioneering estate in Central Otago, New Zealand, specifically located in the warm, sheltered sub-region of Bannockburn. Established in 1991, the winery is globally renowned for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming, certified by Demeter. The Bannockburn Pinot Noir is a benchmark blend of their four estate vineyards (Elms, MacMuir, Calvert, and Cornish Point), representing a masterclass in expressing the unique terroir of this cool-climate, semi-arid region.

## Interesting facts

- Felton Road has been fully certified biodynamic by Demeter since 2010, managing all vineyards with natural preparations.
- The gravity-flow winery design ensures the delicate Pinot Noir grapes are never subjected to mechanical pumping.
- The Bannockburn bottling is a blend of four distinct estate vineyards, offering a complete expression of the local terroir.

## Food pairing

The bright acidity and moderate tannins of this Pinot Noir cut through the richness of fatty meats like duck and pork, while its red fruit profile beautifully complements earthy flavors like mushrooms and truffles.

## Wine making process

The grapes are hand-picked and gravity-fed into the winery. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with wild yeasts, incorporating around 20-30% whole bunches to add structural complexity and herbal lift. The wine is aged for 11 months in French oak barrels (approximately 25-30% new) from artisan Burgundian coopers. It is bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve its natural character and purity of fruit.