Felton Road Block 6 Chardonnay 2024

Felton Road "Block 6" Chardonnay, Central Otago, New Zealand, 2024

Grape: 100% Chardonnay (Mostly "Mendoza" clone vines from a single block of The Elms vineyard planted in 1993), hand picked, whole bunch pressed, fermentation with indigenous yeasts in seasoned French oak, 11 months' ageing on full lees in barrel (17 months in total in cask), bottled unfined and unfiltered

Winemaker Tasting Note:

Benefitting from gentle, northerly exposure, the mature vines of Block 6 channelled every minute of golden autumn sunlight into a wine of arresting vitality. Sensitive elevage has tempered the exuberant peach and grapefruit characters, allowing notes of brioche and hazelnut to add a sense of depth. A saline edge emerges on the finish as the fruit reaches its crescendo, at once both slaking and inspiring thirst. Complexity from simplicity

Critic's Tasting Note:

"A dense and layered white that’s mostly from Mendoza (Wente clone). It’s full-bodied but not heavy, with excellent phenolic intensity. Long and powerful. Just a hint of creaminess. Flavorful finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

96/100 points, James Suckling, October 2025

Food Match: Drink this Chardonnay with spinach, mushroom and cheese crepes, or beef in a Chinese yellow bean sauce.