2007 Felton Road Chardonnay

The 2007 Chardonnay has a well-defined nose, judicious use of new oak as always, with some subtle honeyed tones and good definition. The palate has good concentration, more viscous than usual, moderate level of acidity with lots of creamy oak towards the finish. To be honest, I was expecting a little more reserve and tension. I met proprietor Nigel Greening in London back in 2008 for a first peek at his new releases just before he moved permanently to New Zealand and then re-tasted some of the wines in Central Otago during the Pinot Noir Celebration and again at regional tastings. As expected, winemaker Blair Walter continues to produce a very Burgundian style of Pinot Noir that prioritizes elegance and finesse over power and concentration. Although their Pinot Noirs hog the limelight (deservedly so), their excellent Chardonnay and Rieslings should not be ignored. Importer: Wilson Daniels Ltd., St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661; fax (707) 963-8566.