96+ Points Halliday: Spice, Dark Fruit and Mineral Finesse from Cornish Point

The 2025 Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir brings its lakeside vineyard into sharp focus: pure dark fruit, layered spice and powdery, crushed-rock tannins, carried by a fine mineral line. Awarded 96+ points by Dave Brookes, Halliday, this is a release he describes as a little finer than the excellent 2024, with both flavour intensity and beautifully judged structure.

My Wine Man on Felton Road

Felton Road’s appeal lies in the connection between vineyard and glass. Based in Bannockburn, Central Otago, the estate farms organically and biodynamically, with Cornish Point offering a particularly distinctive setting: a peninsula surrounded on three sides by Lake Dunstan. Bottling it separately lets that vineyard’s personality take centre stage rather than folding it into a broader blend.

The 2025 rendition includes 23% whole bunch and matured for 13 months in French oak, 24% new. Those choices frame an expressive fruit core with spice and fine structure. For us, the attraction is the way Cornish Point combines generosity of flavour with a precise, mineral-led finish: plenty to explore, without losing its sense of direction.

Tasting Notes

Luxardo cherry and damson plum lead the aromas, flecked with raspberry and richly layered spice. Dried citrus rind, cured meat, cinnamon and nutmeg sit behind the fruit, with amaro and leaf-litter notes adding savoury complexity. The palate is spice-packed but anchored in pure dark fruit. Powdery, crushed-rock tannins provide just enough grip, while a fine mineral line carries the flavours forward with definition and energy.

Dave Brookes, Halliday, 96+ Points: “It’s a spectacular vineyard this, on its peninsula, surrounded on three sides by Lake Dunstan, and this rendition sees 23% whole bunch and 24% new French oak for 13 months. Aromas of Luxardo cherries and damson plum flecked with raspberry and souk-like spice, along with dried citrus rind, cured meats, cinnamon and nutmeg at lower volumes in the background, amaro and leaf litter. The palate is spice-packed, with a base of pure dark fruits, powdery crushed-rock tannins that are showing just the right amount of sinew, and a fine mineral line that drives the flavours forward on the palate nicely. It’s a little finer than the excellent ’24, and I am here for it. A great release.”

Style & Drinking Window

A dry, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with generous dark fruit, layered savoury spice and powdery tannins. Our suggested drinking window is 2026–2035 with careful cellaring, enjoying it earlier for its expressive fruit or later for developing savoury complexity. If opening young, give it 45–60 minutes in a decanter and serve slightly cool, around 14–16°C. These are our serving and cellaring recommendations rather than a critic’s published drinking window.

Food Pairing

The dark cherry, damson plum and layered spice of the 2025 Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir make it a delicious match for Australian Valenca Free Range Boneless Pork Belly from My Meat Man. The wine’s pure dark-fruit flavours complement the pork belly’s rich, succulent layers, while its cinnamon, nutmeg and savoury herbal notes echo gently spiced seasoning. Powdery tannins add definition alongside crisp crackling, and the mineral-led finish keeps the combination poised, whether slow-roasted with fennel and herbs, gently braised then crisped under the grill, or roasted Cantonese-style with restrained five-spice seasoning. Keep sweet glazes light to preserve the wine’s savoury detail.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$499, Cornish Point offers a distinctive single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Felton Road, backed by Dave Brookes’ 96+ point Halliday review. The value lies in the detail: dark-fruit purity, complex spice, finely textured tannins and a mineral line that gives the wine shape and persistence. It is a compelling choice for an unhurried dinner now with some air, or for following the vineyard’s expression as the bottle develops.

Looking for a Different Style?

2023 Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir, a precise Tasmanian expression with bright cherry, savoury earth and cool-climate structure.

2022 Amisfield Central Otago Pinot Noir, another view of Central Otago, combining cherry fruit with an earthy, savoury edge.

2019 Ata Rangi Martinborough Pinot Noir, a composed Martinborough style with red cherry, wild strawberry, subtle spice and silky tannins.