{"product_id":"2020-felton-road-calvert-pinot-noir","title":"2020 Felton Road Calvert Pinot Noir New Zealand","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e95 Point New Zealand Pino Made for Cellaring\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e93 Point Vintage ~Wine Spectator\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\"Initially Smooth \u0026amp; Refined, but There’s No Escaping Its Sense of Power\" ~VM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eOrganic and Biodynamic Certified\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping on 12 or More Bottles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- split --\u003e\u003c!-- accordion --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore delving into the wine itself, let's take a moment to appreciate the man behind the magic, the proprietor of the apricot orchard turned vineyard dream, Stewart Greening. A true wine enthusiast, \u003cstrong\u003eGreening embarked on this journey in 1999, transforming Calvert Vineyard into a winemaking paradise.\u003c\/strong\u003e In the same year, he acquired the Felton Road estate, now distinguishable by the iconic elm tree on every screwcap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut what inspired Greening's foray into winemaking? As he fondly recalls, \u003cstrong\u003ehe was a fervent Burgundy drinker in an era when such enthusiasm was pure bliss\u003c\/strong\u003e. He drew inspiration from legendary estates like California's Calera, setting the stage for his vinous adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the vines took root in the Calvert Vineyard, so did the principles of biodynamics. \u003cstrong\u003eWinemaker Blair Walter and viticulturist Gareth King were determined to embrace organic and biodynamic practices. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wines, however, spoke volumes, especially in the UK, where they made their debut thanks to the late John Avery. \u003cstrong\u003eFelton Road may not have been on the radar initially, but a glowing review from the renowned US critic Robert Parker brought the spotlight.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFelton Road's story is divided into two chapters, before and after. The turning point came in 2012, what Greening calls their \"renaissance.\" 2011 had sealed their fate, prompting them to harvest earlier than usual. Greening emphatically states, \"This is not as ripe, but we like it better.\" This shift to picking earlier has brought more tension and age-ability to their wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalvert Vineyard, located just two kilometers east of the Elms Vineyard on Felton Road, boasts a picturesque northeast-facing slope below the historic Bannockburn Gold Sluicings. This site is steeped in history, with the tailraces of Bailey's and Pipeclay Gullys providing cold air drainage and minimizing frost risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalvert Vineyard, with its low elevation, basks in ample sunshine, resulting in consistently early ripening. The Dijon clones, range of rootstocks, and minimal shading from western hills create the perfect environment for producing wines with exceptional texture, floral aromatics, and ripe dark fruits. The tannins are fine, focused, and accompanied by a distinct minerality. \u003cstrong\u003eOrganic and biodynamic practices are the norm, and the vineyard is fully certified by Demeter and BioGro.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2020 was a good year for New Zealand, Wine Spectator awarded this year with 93 points and said, \u003cstrong\u003e\"ideal growing season resulted in plenty of stunning wines.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAging: 13 months in 25% new French oak barrels\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e: 100% Pinot Noir. \u003cbr\u003eSee Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReviews\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElegant, firmly-structured pinot noir with floral\u003c\/strong\u003e, spice, plum and red cherry flavours. Youthful and a little closed at this stage but with \u003cstrong\u003ethe potential to develop well with bottle age\u003c\/strong\u003e. Aerate for best results. ~95 Bob Campbell\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe 2020 Pinot Noir Calvert \u003cstrong\u003emay initially seem smooth and refined, but there's no escaping its sense of power\u003c\/strong\u003e; it packs a punch with its concentrated core and structured tannic frame. While you'll find cherry-like fruit and a floral lift, there's a distinctly savory edge to this vintage, which displays Worcestershire sauce, spice and fruitcake alongside herbal notes.\u003cstrong\u003e It achieves a wonderful balance between the core of ripe fruit and the powerful structure. A Calvert has the brawn to age and will benefit from more time in bottle.\u003c\/strong\u003e~94 Vinous Media\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e***Free Shipping on 12 or More Bottles of This Wine***\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Felton Road Calvert","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44424457355499,"sku":"FRCAPN20","price":56.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0150\/0646\/files\/2020_Felton_Road_Calvert_Pinot_Noir_New_Zealand-B.webp?v=1750058362","url":"https:\/\/www.bighammerwines.com\/products\/2020-felton-road-calvert-pinot-noir","provider":"BigHammerWines.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}