This is Pinot Noir with a backbone and a sense of place you can feel in your shoulders. Block 3 is Felton Road’s most grounded site, and the 2020 vintage leans into that seriousness in the best possible way. It opens with dark cherry and wild berry, then drifts into savory territory - thyme, earth, a hint of graphite - like the landscape itself is quietly joining the conversation. On the palate, it is focused and layered, more about depth than flash. The fruit feels dense but calm, carried by fine, confident tannins and a cool mineral line that keeps everything taut. There is a velvety ease to the texture, but it never loses its grip. This is Pinot that knows exactly where it comes from and does not feel the need to soften the message. Give it air and a little patience. It rewards both. Best with food that has substance, or an evening where you are happy to sit with a glass and let it unfold on its own terms. Thoughtful, grounded, and quietly powerful, this is Central Otago speaking in a lower, steadier voice.
