We drank the Felton Road 2007 Central Otago Pinot Noir last week with friends. I have been debating in my mind whether on my wine scale this is on the upper end of Good, or RFG. I have concluded that for my palate this is Good, but that is colored by my personal preferences in Pinot Noir. The Felton Road is a really well balanced wine. The fruit flavors are varied and complex, and the tannins are well structured and provide a good backdrop, but are not intrusive. There are also interesting floral and spice notes on the finish. I did not pick up much earthiness/smokiness, which is one of the flavor characteristics I love in Pinot Noir. In the reviews for the Felton Road it was often described as 'elegant' and I would go along with that view.
My taste in Pinot Noir leans to more concentrated flavors that make a more dramatic impression - I describe a great Pinot as having flavors that spin around in my mind. Felton Road is regarded as one of the top vineyards in New Zealand, and I wanted to love this wine. After my first glass I set a little aside to try late in the evening after it had had a chance to breath. It remained a wonderfully well balanced wine, but the flavors did not gain much additional intensity.We drank the Felton Road 2007 Central Otago Pinot Noir last week with friends. I have been debating in my mind whether on my wine scale this is on the upper end of Good, or RFG. I have concluded that for my palate this is Good, but that is colored by my personal preferences in Pinot Noir. The Felton Road is a really well balanced wine. The fruit flavors are varied and complex, and the tannins are well structured and provide a good backdrop, but are not intrusive. There are also interesting floral and spice notes on the finish. I did not pick up much earthiness/smokiness, which is one of the flavor characteristics I love in Pinot Noir. In the reviews for the Felton Road it was often described as 'elegant' and I would go along with that view.
My taste in Pinot Noir leans to more concentrated flavors that make a more dramatic impression - I describe a great Pinot as having flavors that spin around in my mind. Felton Road is regarded as one of the top vineyards in New Zealand, and I wanted to love this wine. After my first glass I set a little aside to try late in the evening after it had had a chance to breath. It remained a wonderfully well balanced wine, but the flavors did not gain much additional intensity.