Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Cornish Point 2019

94 points Wine Spectator: “This impressive version is intense and velvety, with dried thyme, black cherry and blackberry flavors, with notes of dragonwell green tea, sweet paprika and cardamom adding an aromatic edge on the long, memorable finish. Drink now through 2035. 1,281 cases made, 91 cases imported. (6/30/21)”

93 points Joe Czerwinski (Wine Advocate): “The cedar-accented 2019 Cornish Point Pinot Noir matured 13 months in 30% new French oak, and while there is a woody thumbprint on the nose, the raspberry, black cherry and cola notes bleed through, making an even larger impression. Medium to full-bodied, broad and generous on the palate, this is marked by some dusty (but ripe) tannins, adding richness to the wine’s texture in the mouth and on the lingering finish. Drink: 2021-2030. (Jun 2021)”

92 points Rebecca Gibb, MW (Vinous): “A little reticent on the nose but far more welcoming in the mouth, delivering a silken caress before tightening up again on the finish; the combination of abundant stone-licking tannins and precise acidity creates a taut finish at this early stage in the proceedings. There is plenty of fruit intensity here, offering sweet blackberry and raspberry fruit, a lick of oak-derived cedar and tobacco. A balanced, elegant and fragrant style that will become increasingly refined with time in bottle. (Technical details: 23% whole cluster, 13 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Wild ferment, no fining, no filtering.) (Mar 2021)”

Producer notes: “As we have come to expect, Cornish Point has a slightly reserved nose as a young wine, with hints of dark fruit, raspberry, roses and crushed herbs. The palate is dense, a core of dark raspberry, then dark petals (rose and violets), and a pleasant waft of char. Serious texture and harmony, opulent yet refined. This is a brooding and powerful rendition from an outstanding vintage.”