Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir Central Otago

Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir is a powerful, site-driven expression from one of Bannockburn’s most celebrated biodynamic estates. Sourced exclusively from the MacMuir Vineyard, this distinctive single-vineyard Pinot Noir combines brooding dark fruit, fine-grained structure and remarkable savoury depth. Crafted with meticulous restraint and minimal intervention, it is an exceptional choice for collectors, fine dining and premium gifting.

Tasting Notes & Experience

Deep ruby in the glass, MacMuir opens with dark bramble fruit, black cherry and crushed violets, layered with wild thyme, exotic spice and a subtle forest-floor earthiness. The palate is powerful yet beautifully composed, revealing ripe plum and blackberry over a velvety core framed by abundant, exceptionally fine tannins. Bright acidity brings lift and precision, carrying the wine towards an impressively long, pure and deeply savoury finish.

Key Details

• Winery: Felton Road
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Region: Bannockburn, Central Otago, New Zealand
• Vintage: 2025
• ABV: 13.7%
• Volume: 750ml
• Viticulture: 100% Estate Grown • Certified Organic & Biodynamic (BioGro & Demeter)
• Vinification: 31% Whole Clusters • Indigenous Yeast • Natural Malolactic Fermentation
• Maturation: 13 Months in French Oak • 25% New Oak
• Other: Vegan-Friendly • Unfined • Unfiltered • B Corp Certified
• Serve: 14–16°C; decanting is recommended to reveal its full aromatic and structural complexity

Craftsmanship & Story

Felton Road was founded in 1991 after Stewart Elms identified Bannockburn’s remarkable potential for fine wine, establishing what would become one of New Zealand’s most internationally respected estates. Under owner Nigel Greening and longtime winemaker Blair Walter, the winery has remained resolutely focused on site expression, farming all 34 hectares organically and biodynamically under BioGro and Demeter certification. Its multi-level gravity-flow winery allows fruit to move gently without pumping, while spontaneous wild yeast fermentation, natural malolactic conversion and an avoidance of fining or filtration preserve purity and texture. This hands-off philosophy, combined with meticulous vineyard work and a strict 100% estate policy, has helped Felton Road become a global benchmark for Central Otago Pinot Noir, celebrated for wines that express place with remarkable precision, depth and longevity.

Special Features

MacMuir stands apart within the Felton Road range through the distinctive personality of its single vineyard, located just one kilometre east of the Elms Vineyard and only 300 metres west of Calvert. Higher vine density, a diverse mix of Pinot Noir clones and deep, heavy silt soils produce a darker, more muscular expression than many neighbouring sites, while meticulous hand canopy management and cover cropping enhance fruit quality and biodiversity. The 2025 wine retains 31% whole clusters for aromatic lift and structure, then matures for 13 months in fine French oak, including 25% new barrels from artisan Burgundian coopers. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it captures MacMuir’s hallmark combination of authority, fine tannin and brooding depth while remaining unmistakably elegant and precise.

Recognition & Accolades

Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir continues to earn impressive critical recognition, reflecting both the pedigree of this distinctive single vineyard and Felton Road’s standing among New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noir producers. The current release has already attracted outstanding scores, reinforcing MacMuir’s reputation for combining power, precision and remarkable ageing potential.

• 97/100 Points – Cameron Douglas MS (2025 Vintage)
• 96/100 Points – Richard Caro, Caro's Wines (2025 Vintage)
• 5 Stars – Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2024 Vintage)
• 96/100 Points – Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review (2024 Vintage)
• 96/100 Points – Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous (2023 Vintage)
• 95/100 Points – James Suckling (2023 Vintage)
• 96/100 Points – James Suckling (2022 Vintage)
• 95/100 Points – Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast (2022 Vintage)

These accolades underline MacMuir’s place among Central Otago’s most compelling single-vineyard Pinot Noirs — a wine of genuine authority, refinement and long-term potential.

Food Pairings

The brooding depth and fine structure of MacMuir make it sublime alongside slow-roasted duck breast with cherry and wild thyme jus, where succulent richness draws out the wine’s dark bramble fruit and silken tannins. Venison with blackberry reduction is equally captivating, while wild mushroom and truffle risotto echoes its earthy, savoury undertones. Aged Comté or Gruyère provides a beautifully indulgent finale.

Perfect for Gifting or Cellaring

Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir is an inspired gift for the serious wine enthusiast, Central Otago devotee or collector seeking something beyond the familiar. Its single-vineyard provenance, certified biodynamic viticulture and limited-production character give it the sense of discovery that makes a premium bottle particularly memorable, while Felton Road’s international reputation adds unmistakable pedigree.

It is equally compelling for the cellar. MacMuir’s concentration, abundant fine-grained tannins and bright natural acidity provide the architecture for graceful development, with its youthful dark fruit expected to evolve towards increasingly complex savoury, earthy and spice-led nuances. Enjoy now with decanting for its power and vitality, or cellar carefully to reveal the deeper dimensions of this distinctive Bannockburn site.

Fast, Secure NZ-Wide Delivery

Order Felton Road MacMuir Pinot Noir online for fast NZ-wide delivery. Every bottle is carefully packed, with premium gift packaging and a personalised message available from COVE 27.