2025 Felton Road Bannockburn Chardonnay, Central Otago

Chardonnay primarily sourced from Blocks 2, 6, 8 and 9 on The Elms vineyard, with approximately 10% from each of Cornish Point and Calvert vineyards, 13 months in French oak, 7% new. Pale straw in hue. The wine opens with focused aromas of grapefruit, white peach, citrus blossom, greengage plum, cinnamon, a distant mist of spiced oatmeal and wet flint. The palate is flavoursome yet shows impressive precision and detail, driving concentrated citrus and stone fruit flavours over a subtle, creamy, finely layered spice array. A top release for the Bannockburn Chardonnay. Drink to 2036.

95 points Dave Brookes for Halliday Wine Companion, September 2026

Felton Road has long been regarded as one of New Zealand's finest wineries, with proprietor Nigel Greening and winemaker Blair Walter producing wines that rank among the world's best. Farmed biodynamically and with minimal intervention, the estate's Chardonnays are celebrated for their purity, precision and remarkable expression of Central Otago's unique landscape. Their combination of finesse, mineral drive and longevity has often drawn comparisons with Grand Cru Burgundy, while remaining unmistakably Felton Road.

The Bannockburn Chardonnay is drawn from the estate's four vineyards, rooted in ancient schist soils overlooking the Kawarau River. Warm, sun filled days and cool alpine nights encourage slow, even ripening, preserving vibrant acidity while building texture and complexity. Careful barrel fermentation and extended lees ageing add depth without obscuring the vineyard's distinctive mineral character.

The colour is a brilliant pale gold with youthful green highlights. Aromas of white peach, grapefruit and lemon curd are complemented by toasted hazelnut, flint and delicate blossom. The palate is finely textured and beautifully composed, carrying citrus and stone fruit across creamy lees richness and a chalky mineral backbone. Bright acidity drives a long, seamless finish of exceptional purity and finesse.

Magnificent with butter poached lobster, roasted John Dory, free range chicken with morels, hand cut tagliatelle with brown butter or roasted cauliflower with hazelnuts. Drinking beautifully in its youth, this outstanding Chardonnay will continue to reward careful cellaring for a decade or more.