My wine choices often vary according to my mood, the weather and what we are eating, but if there is one grape variety I never tire of it has to be Pinot Noir. There’s something about the perfume and the texture that just keeps me coming back for more. So I would like to shine a spotlight on the Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2015.Coming as it does from Central Otago in the south of the South Island, it has real cool climate complexity combined with New World fruit purity making it a great choice whether you are a fan of New World Pinot or classic red Burgundy. Plus it’s biodynamic! In fact, the whole estate comes as close to sustainability as is possible. The Felton Road estate spans 31 hectares within the Bannockburn sub-region of Central Otago. Site selection was key to the establishment of the vineyard in 1991 and every step of Felton Road’s development has been taken with precision and without compromise. And so to the wine …. Dark cherry, rosehip and wafts of perfumed leather lead into notes of plum, cinnamon spice, nutmeg and dried thyme on the palate. Seamless tannins surround the palate with a rich engaging fruitiness coating the finish. A complete and harmonious Pinot Noir that accurately and sensitively epitomises its fine Bannockburn vineyard origins.
As to what to eat with it, there are numerous possibilities but I would favour seared duck breast seasoned perhaps with cinnamon or five spice and finished with some orange or plum. Keep it simple by serving with some noodles to soak up the delicious juices.
