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Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir
Central Otago, New Zealand
About this product
One of New Zealand's most collected wines — from a single block of biodynamically farmed Pinot Noir on decomposed schist soils in Bannockburn, Central Otago. Block 3 is the oldest planting on the Felton Road estate (1991) and produces the most complex and age-worthy of the single-block expressions. Blair Walter's winemaking philosophy: whole-bunch inclusion, wild yeast only, very gentle extraction, no fining or filtration. The result is Pinot of extraordinary spice, earth, and mineral depth that rewards a decade of patience.
The deductive profile Library
colourTranslucent ruby, slight brick at 8+ years
finishLong, fine — mineral and spice echo 50+ seconds
aromaDark cherry, forest floor, schist mineral, five-spice, violets, black tea, dried herbs
clarityUnfined — may have slight haze
flavourDark cherry, plum, whole-bunch spice (star anise, dried herbs), schist mineral, silky tannins
ageing profileWines open at 5 years but best at 8-15+
Service
glassLarge Burgundy glass
food pairingDuck breast, venison, salmon, pinot-friendly mushroom dishes, goat cheese
serve temp c15
decant minutes30 min
ageing potential years15-20+
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Pairings
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celebration
Felton Road Block 3's elevation character belongs with the local wild venison; the same landscape elevated
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venison
New Zealand venison and Central Otago Pinot Noir is a national identity pairing — both products of the same alpine environment. The mineral-iron character of the venison resonates with the schist mineral in the wine. The manuka honey in the jus bridges to the slight floral sweetness in the wine's fruit.
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food
Block 3 Pinot Noir from the Bannockburn schist pairs with the local Merino lamb; the stone fruit bridges perfectly
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duck
The five-spice in the duck preparation mirrors the whole-bunch five-spice character in the Felton Road Block 3 — this is a textbook bridge pairing. The cherry reduction amplifies the wine's cherry fruit. The duck fat's richness is gripped by the silky but present tannins. One of the great modern NZ wine and food pairings.
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meat
Cherry in wine mirrors the cherry jus reduction; thyme in wine echoes the confit herb aromatics; iron-ore tannin cuts through the duck fat richness.
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lamb
Felton Road and Central Otago lamb grow in the same schist-and-loess landscape; a true terroir pairing
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salmon
Ora King salmon (Marlborough farmed king salmon — world's highest Omega-3 content) has the fat richness to support Pinot Noir's structure. The dill and cucumber bring a fresh green note that mirrors the wine's herbal character from whole-bunch inclusion. Preserved lemon amplifies the wine's citrus edge.
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cheese
The silky Block 3 tannins bridge the bold blue; manuka honey softens the cheese's sharpness and mirrors the wine's fruit
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cheese