Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay 2014
This is one for chardonnay connoisseurs. Felton Road has something of a cult status thanks to their dedication to sustainability and their ability to continually deliver award winning wines. This chardonnay ticks all the boxes. It’s impeccably put together with floral, hazelnut and white peach aromas leading to delicate lemon zest and mineral flavours. It’s textural, full, fresh and clean. Team up with salmon or swordfish dishes.
Citrus blossom, grapefruit zest and a hint of hazelnut on a restrained nose.
Fermentation in French oak (10% new) with indigenous yeasts has produced a wine with considerable complexity. A long and complete indigenous malolactic fermentation with only periodic stirring of the lees (Batonnage), along with 12 months on full lees; has softened the acid for a rich and complex mouthfeel.
There is a richness to the texture that stands in stark contrast to the linear energy of the flavours. The subtle use of new oak (10%) allows for a greater and more transparent sense of place. A salty, chalky finish with citrus pith and acid dancing with just the faintest hint of gunflint. A graceful and inspiring Chardonnay.
Various clones of Chardonnay (Mendoza, B95, B548, 15 and 6) were carefully hand harvested in late March and early April from Cornish Point and The Elms vineyards. The grapes were whole bunch pressed with the juice immediately flowing to barrel by gravity with no settling.