Felton Road wines should be counted among the very best that Central Otago and New Zealand can produce. This is my opinion, I think many wine enthusiasts and critics from around the globe would agree. From flagship Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to very classy Riesling their wines are modern, pure and relevant.

The opportunity to taste through some of the recent releases further endorses my statement above.

The team at Felton Road should be congratulated for growing and making fine wine.

Certified Bio-Gro; Certified B Corporation; International winery for climate action

Riesling 2025, Bannockburn: This off-dry expression is utterly delicious, aromas and flavours of lime and makrut leaves, very floral, sweet lemon and red apple flesh. The acidity is high delivering a taut contrast to the residual sweetness, a wine in balance from the first taste to the last with flavours of white fleshed pomaceous fruits, citrus skin and peel, flowers, makrut leaves and mineral. Refreshing, lively and what Riesling is all about - instant pleasure, freshness, length and the desire to want more. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2035+.

94 Points - Excellent. RRP from $47.50

Riesling Dry 2025: A bouquet that begins with scents of white flowers and minerality, a fresh water stream, wet pebbles, then pure fruit scents of lemon and apple, lime and white flowers. Naturally dry with a backbone of acidity, flavours reflect the bouquet with a long finish. Complex, pure, ripe and utterly delicious. A fantastic wine that is excellent drinking today and through the next ten to fifteen years.

96 Points - Outstanding. RRP from $47.50

Block 2 Chardonnay 2024: Harmonious, ripe and complex, a bouquet of freshness and purity of fruit, layers of complexity from fine lees and used of oak, there’s a natural mineral quality adding additional complexity. A satin smooth touch on the palate that transitions quickly to a coarse silk texture driven by the acid line and relative youth. Fruit then wood tannins, an acid drive carrying core fruit flavours of grapefruit and peach, red apple skin then raw cashew nut. Delicious, lengthy, fruity and taut. A wine that will develop well over the coming 2-3 years with best drinking from 2027 through 2032+.

95 Points - Outstanding. RRP from $81.50

Block 6 Chardonnay 2024: A complex, rich and silky framed bouquet. Aromas of fresh Brazil nut-butter, vanilla and ripe stone fruits, then fresh and baked apple, lees and a mix of new and older wood scents. The mix of earth and gentle wood smoke deliver the mineral oak spice synergies. Dry, a satin-cream touch, lots of energy from the structure contrasted by fruit and seamlessness through the palate. taut and young with some develop time ahead. Lengthy and naturally complex. Best drinking from late 2027 through 2034+.

96 Points - Outstanding. RRP from $81.50

Block 5 Pinot Noir 2024: Fabulous bouquet and palate, a wine that speaks of site first then layers of ripe red berry fruits from boysenberry to black cherry and heirloom Doris plum. A distinctive savoury wild dried herb and thyme qualities add complexity and foundation. Taut and dry with firm tannins and a backbone of acidity, together framing the fruit flavours that mirror the bouquet. Lengthy and rather delicious, a wine that needs cellar time with best drinking from 2028 through 2036+.

95 Points - Outstanding. RRP from $138.50

Calvert Pinot Noir 2024: Fantastic bouquet with scents and flavours of sand and clay, spice and dark berry fruits. Dried raspberry and boysenberry, layers with smoky wood and clove, plum and violets. There’s a wild dried herb quality and as the wine opens out the intensity and complexity of each flavours grows. A dry wine with firm tannins, lots of polish and energy, acidity carries all the flavours keep the palate engaged throughout. Lengthy and complex a wine to savour when young and older. Best drinking from as early as today through 2038+.

96 Points - Outstanding. RRP from $102.00

Felton Road new release wine reviews December 2025