Doctors Flat Pinot is about Steve Davies’ pursuit of wine true to its origin—wine of terroir. The vines are organically farmed with care and harvested by hand. The fruit is then fermented in small open tanks with minimal intervention. The wines spend 12 months in French barrels (about 1/3 new) and then a winter resting in tank, before being bottled in the following spring without fining or filtration.
Only the best of the small lots are blended to make the single vineyard Doctors Flat Pinot Noir
2015 Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting Notes
Download PDF: DFV 2015 Tasting and Tech Notes
Reviews
Fine Wines of New Zealand named for 2018
finewines.nz/the-list-2018:
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015
An annual list of the country’s most prestigious wines. After an extensive tasting process, 67 wines have been named in the Fines Wines of New Zealand for 2018 – an annual list of the country’s most prestigious wines. Pinot Noirs have stood out this year with 18 making the cut from the North Canterbury, Central Otago, Marlborough, Martinborough and Nelson regions. Sauvignon Blancs followed with all 11 this year from Marlborough while there were 10 wines selected each in the Chardonnay and Aromatics categories. Bordeaux Blends, Sparkling, Sweet wines and Syrah also featured. The programme is led by seven of New Zealand’s leading wine experts including Masters of Wine Alastair Maling, Michael Brajkovich, Sam Harrop, Simon Nash and Steve Smith along with Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas who compile the list based on stringent criteria including provenance and excellence in winemaking over several releases. Fellow Master of Wine Emma Jenkins has also joined the programme this year and has provided expertise on the Sauvignon Blanc varietal in particular. Master of Wine and Fine Wines of New Zealand Chair Alastair Maling says it’s been exciting to see the programme evolve since its inception in 2016. “This year we took the conscious step of allowing wineries to submit their wines that they felt met the Fine Wines of New Zealand criteria and have them assessed alongside last year’s wines and others put forward by our panel. We had a fantastic response and I’m confident that the process that we went through the 2018 list celebrates the best of the very best,” says Mr Maling.
May 2018
Michael Coopers Buyers Guide 2018 95/100
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015
Yvonne Lorkin
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015
“Great tension in the mouth and powerful length of flavour. Steve Davies is the winemaker and grower of this tiny 3ha vineyard located in some of the oldest (480,000yo) glacial soils in Central Otago. Farmed organically and utilising 30% whole bunch fermentation, has created a really plush, lush, cherry and sandalwood-soaked style that has freshness, length, great tension in the mouth and powerful length of flavour (4.5 stars) ”
May 2018
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews 19/20
www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz:
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015
“ Dark, deep, ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim with some garnet hues. This has a firm, full and deeply concentrated, complex nose with an amalgam of dark-red berry fruits along with savoury dark and dried herbs, some subtle whole bunch stalk perfumes, and nuances of earth. The aromatics possess excellent density and presence, with the beginnings of interest from secondary development. Medium-full bodied, the palate has lively and vibrant flavours of complex savoury dark-red berry fruits entwined with herbs and whole bunch stalk elements, and a soft layering of earth and undergrowth elements, forming a finely concentrated and deep core. The fruit is sweetly rich and enlivened by fresh acidity and supported by fine-grained tannin extraction providing an elegant structure and grip. The flavours carry with plenty of drive and energy to a strong, complex, savoury finish. This is a rich-fruited, complex flavoured Pinot Noir with savoury red fruit, herb, earth and secondary detail on a finely concentrated, lively palate with good structure. Match with wild duck and pork, coq au vin and casseroles over the next 6-8 years. A blend of clones 115, 777 and 114 from the ‘Doctors Flat’ vineyard fermented with 30% whole bunches to 13.5% alc., the wine spending 25-26 days on skins and aged 12 months in 23% new French oak, then given a further 6 months in tank. 870 dozen made. 19.0-/20
There are a small number of small but very serious producers of Pinot Noir in Central Otago. Invariably they have had considerable experience with the variety and plenty of opportunity to craft top wines in the region over the years. Steve Davies is one such man in making his Doctors Flat Pinot Noir. Steve’s 3 ha vineyard off Hall Road in Bannockburn was planted in 2002 to clones 114, 115 and 777. The wine is one of the more complex and well-structured of the region’s bottlings, and Steve credits the very old soils which are estimated to be 480,000 years old to be a significant influence on the tannin framework. Steve also reckons the soil health is of extreme importance and he promotes the natural diversity of the micro-flora and micro-fauna that exists there. Of course, Steve’s guiding hand plays a role as he guides the wines towards how interprets the vineyard expression given that growing season. His approach in doing so has resulted in him talking a “lighter hand” with punch-downs and extraction to enable “seeing the vineyard more clearly”. The wine has what I reckon is a cult following, and quite rightly so. I tasted the 2015 vintage Pinot Noir wine during a visit to Central Otago in November last year (click here to see my report). I review the wine here, with half a year’s extra time in bottle. ”
May 2018.
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 95/100
www.wineorbit.co.nz
Doctors Flat Pinot Noir 2015
“Exquisitely composed and styled, the engaging bouquet shows dark cherry, thyme, black olive and truffle characters with nuances of game and toasted almonds. The palate is concentrated and multi-layered, delivering gorgeous fruit purity combined with seductive savoury notes and sensual mouthfeel. From their single vineyard in the Bannockburn district, this is superbly long and gratifying on the finish. At its best: now to 2025.”
May 2018.
Bob Campbell, MW 95/100
http://bobcampbell.nz/resources/
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015
Wine of the Week 6/6/18 95/100
https://www.therealreview.com/2018/06/06/wine-of-the-week-nz-95/
Doctors Flat Pinot Noir 2015
“Supple and appealing wine with an ethereal texture. Delicately scented pinot noir with floral, red rose, dark cherry, plum, spice and thyme flavours. Supple and appealing wine with an ethereal texture. It's deliciously drinkable now but should age gracefully. A classy pinot noir. Drink 2018 to 2023”
May 2018.
“Wine of the Week 6/6/18 Supple and appealing wine with an ethereal texture... read more.. Delicately scented pinot noir with floral, red rose, dark cherry, plum, spice and thyme flavours. Supple and appealing wine with an ethereal texture. It's deliciously drinkable now but should age gracefully. A classy pinot noir. Drink 2018 to 2023 ”
21/5/2018
2014 Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting Notes
Download PDF: DFV 2014 Tasting and Tech Notes
Reviews
Michael Coopers Buyers Guide 95/100
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
“Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, rich and savoury, with deep, ripe plum/spice flavours, showing excellent complexity, and fine-grained tannins. Very generous and savoury, it's approachable now. The classy 2014 vintage is a single-vineyard red, grown at Bannockburn, matured for a year in French oak barrels (25 per cent new), and bottled without fining or filtering.”
Jane Skilton, MW
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
“Sounds odd but there is a real energy to this wine as well as a stillness and harmony. The fruit sits very much in the cooler bright red spectrum with a vibrant note of raspberry and wild strawberry. There is a lift of lavender/violet florals too. A hint of cinnamon spice suggests maybe some whole bunch. Sounds odd but there is a real energy to this wine as well as a stillness and harmony with beautifully judged silky tannins and a spine of acidity giving lift. The wine continues to open up whilst in the glass revealing ever more elements. A wonderful, charming wine that could almost be drunk now but would continue to evolve over the next 5-8 years. ”
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews 18.5/20
www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz:
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
“This is an elegantly concentrate Pinot Noir with dark cherry and berry. Dark, deep, ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, lighter on the rim and youthful in appearance. The bouquet is elegantly concentrated with aromas of dark-red berry and cherry fruit complexed by a harmonious layering of dark herbs and whole bunch stalk perfumes providing savoury complexities and interest. Medium-full bodied, the palate is fine in concentration with an elegant core of dark-red berry fruits melded with dark herbs and subtly complexing whole bunch stalk elements. The palate has richness and vitality, and the fruit is supported by fine-grained tannin extraction that offers accessibility. The wine carries to a harmonious and integrated, long and concentrated finish. This is an elegantly concentrate Pinot Noir with dark cherry and berry fruit complexed by dark herb and whole bunch notes on a finely extracted palate. Match with wild duck and pork over the next 6+ years. Clones 115, 777 and 114 from the ‘Doctors Flat’ vineyard, indigenous yeast fermented with 30% whole bunches to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 12 months in 25% new French oak barrels, followed by a further 6 months in tank. 958 dozen made. 18.5+/20. Doctors Flat is the label of highly respected Central Otago winemaker Steve Davies. Steve has crafted numerous award winning wines over the years, but Pinot Noir is his claim to fame. He established his 3 ha vineyard in Bannockburn in 2002, planting Pinot Noir clones 114, 115 and 777, producing his first Doctors Flat wine in 2008. Steve farms organically, believing that soil heath is a key factor for success and knowing that proper soil micro life "maintains a symbiotic relationship with the vines” which break down to provide nutrients. His research has shown that his vineyard, unusual in the region, has an advanced soil age, composed of deep gravels laid down by receding glacier some 450,000 years ago, and this is surmised to contribute to the fine tannins and good texture of his wine. Here, I review the new release 2014 Doctors Flat Pinot Noir. Steve reports that he has taken a lighter approach to inputs into the wine, after a harvest in Burgundy in 2012 and will be interested in how this will show in terms of “seeing the vineyard more clearly”. www.doctorsflat.co.nz ”
October 2017
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 95/100
www.wineorbit.co.nz
Doctors Flat Pinot Noir 2014
“Intense yet graceful. A stylish rendition from their estate vineyard in the Bannockburn district, the complex bouquet shows dark cherry, smoked game, black olive and mushroom characters with nuances of clove and dried herbs. The palate is concentrated and beautifully rounded, and delivers fabulous savoury undertones. Intense yet graceful. At its best: now to 2021.”
October 2017.
Otago Daily News by Mark Henderson Excellent to Outstanding
Doctor's Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
“Perfumed nose with hints of dark fruits, lavender, wild herbs, tilled earth. Dark fruits and black cherry flood the palate adding graphite and savoury nuances. While a beam of sweet fruit runs through the wine, this remains youthfully chewy, the savoury, umami elements building on the deliciously long, dry finish.
”
4/10/2017
Stephen Tanzer 89
Doctors Flat Pinot Noir 2014
“Plush and sweet, displaying good thickness of texture. Healthy dark red. Aromatic nose offers scents of raspberry, cherry and rose petal. From a single vineyard planted in 2002 on very old glacial moraine soil rich in clay and silt; made with 25% whole clusters and aged9in 25% new oak. Plush and sweet, displaying good thickness of texture but also noteworthy mid-palate energy. Finishes broad and dry, with substantial dusty tannins. Clearly a bottling to follow as the wines gain in age. This is the project of Steve Davies, who previously was the winemaker at Carrick and also worked for a number of top Napa Valley producers earlier in his career. At its best: 2017 to 2023. August 2015
Bob Campbell, MW 92/100
http://bobcampbell.nz/resources/
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
“Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, rich and savoury, with deep, ripe plum/spice flavours, showing excellent complexity, and fine-grained tannins. Very generous and savoury, it's approachable now. The classy 2014 vintage is a single-vineyard red, grown at Bannockburn, matured for a year in French oak barrels (25 per cent new), and bottled without fining or filtering. Dring 2017 to 2022 ”
4/11/2017
2013 Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting Notes
Download PDF: DFV 2013 Tasting and Tech Notes
Reviews
Bob Campbell, MW 95/100
http://bobcampbell.nz/resources/
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
“Elegant Pinot Noir with wonderfully pure cherry, plum sweetness and an ethereal texture. Very seductive wine indeed that's deceptively easy to drink now because it would be easy to assume that it won't get any better. It will. Made with a very light touch. ”
August 2015
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, 96/100
www.wineorbit.co.nz
Doctors Flat Pinot Noir 2013
“This is a beautifully composed and impressively structured pinot from one of the top-notch producers in Central Otago. From their 3 hectare vineyard in the Bannockburn district, this awesome pinot shows pristine aromas of red/black cherry, plum and floral with nuances of toasted almond, mixed spice and dried herb. The palate is concentrated and refined with outstanding focus and grainy texture, leading to an extremely long, seamless finish. At its best: 2017 to 2028.”
January 2015.
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews 19/20
www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz:
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
“Medium-full bodied, the fruit flavours of dark red berry fruits is sweet and succulent with a bright vibrancy ... vitality and length. This is a well-concentrated Pinot Noir with sweet dark red fruits and whole cluster herb complexities and a fine-grained, mouthfilling texture Moderately deep, even ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, paler on rim. The nose is firm and densely concentrated with aromas of dark red berry fruits at the core, harmoniously interwoven with layers of thyme herb and whole cluster stalky suggestions and complexing nuances of earth and red floral perfumes. The aromatics are quite complete in presentation. Medium-full bodied, the fruit flavours of dark red berry fruits is sweet and succulent with a bright vibrancy. The fruit is melded with dark herbs, earth and whole cluster stalk notes, and the palate has concentration and depth. Fine-grained flowery tannins balance the fruit richness and coat the mouth with silky textures, adding to the mouthfeel and presence. The acidity is integrated, lending energy and adds to the palate vitality and length. The wine finishes with sustained savoury herb and violetty floral elements. This is a well-concentrated Pinot Noir with sweet dark red fruits and whole cluster herb complexities and a fine-grained, mouthfilling texture. Match with slow cooked game meat dishes and hard cheeses over the next 6-8+ years. Clones 115, 777 and 114 indigenous yeast fermented with 26% whole bunches to 13.8% alc., the wine spending 4 weeks on skins and MLF delayed until spring, the wine aged 12 months in 25% new French oak, then a further 6 months in tank. 947 dozen made. 19.0-/20 ”
August 2015
Emma Jenkins MW 93/100
http://www.lepanmedia.com
Doctor's Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
“The thoughtful, textural and perfumed results are well worth seeking out ... this a powerful, fruit-focused style with good depth of character, wonderful balance and freshness. A very nicely made wine with lots of appeal. The baby of experienced local winemaker Steve Davies, who planted 3ha of pinot noir in 2002 on some of Bannockburn's oldest glacial soils, which he farms organically. The thoughtful, textural and perfumed results are well worth seeking out. Quite an upfront nose with juicy, ripe dark cherry and spice aromatics. Great concentration, elegant powdery tannins, this a powerful, fruit-focused style with good depth of character, wonderful balance and freshness. A very nicely made wine with lots of appeal. ”
January 2015
John Saker 18/20
Doctors Flat Pinot Noir 2013
"Lovely aromatics; dark berryfruit, allspice, dried herb, touches of white chocolate..." August 2015
Jane Skilton
Doctor's Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
“An intriguing wine that shows the evolution in Central Otago pinot noir. Complex and layered, this isn’t an obvious wine but one that invites tasting and retasting A world away from the fruit laden, generous wines on which the region made its name, the wine was quite shy on the nose initially but then opened up to show a spicy, almost cinnamon like note with a touch of dried thyme herbs. FIrmly constructed, with finely grained tannins giving backbone and spine. With time it revealed a delightful savoury edge, that complemented the ripe and densely fruited palate, firmly in the scented red fruit spectrum. Complex and layered, this isn’t an obvious wine but one that invites tasting and retasting. Needs several years to come into its own but will be an excellent expression of the region when it does. ”
September 2015
Winestate Magazine
http://www.winestate.com.au/
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
“Full-coloured, sturdy, single-vineyard Bannockburn red, barrel-aged for a year. Floral, rich wine with strong, ripe plum and spice flavours, harmonious and well-structured. Still youthful; best 2017+. ”
September/October 2015 issue
2012 Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting Notes
Download PDF: DFV 2012 Tasting and Tech Notes
Reviews
2012 Pinot Noir
Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz:
95/100
“This is outstanding in every aspect - concentration, structure, balance and style. The gorgeous bouquet shows dark cherry, truffle, game and floral with a hint of roasted nut complexity. It's elegant yet powerful on the palate with a flowing mouthfeel, beautifully framed by plenty of fine tannins. Already a charmer, this should evolve graciously. Grapes were grown on their Bannockburn vineyard. At its best: now to 2022.”
June 2014.
2012 Pinot Noir
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews,
www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz:
19.0+/20
“ Even, dark ruby-red colour with slight purple hues on rim. The nose is elegantly concentrated with a deep and densely pack core of ripe black cherry fruit entwined with a complex amalgam of red berries, savoury whole bunch herb elements, a touch of oak toast and a suggestion of minerally reduction. The bouquet builds in depth and richness with aeration. Medium-full bodied, a gently concentrated and deep core unfolds a complex array of flavours. Dark red cherry and berry fruit, savoury dried herb and whole bunch stalky nuances, dark fresh thyme herbs and minerals all provide intricate and interwoven detail. The fruit is supported by positive, fine-grained tannin structure and underlined by excellent acid poise and tension, all integral and balanced. The wine carries to a very long, complex-flavoured finish. This is a concentrated, well-proportioned and poised Pinot Noir with a complex array of flavours and fine structure. Match with coq au vin, and grilled and roasted game meat dishes over the next 7-9 years. Dijon clones 115, 777 and 114 indigenous yeast fermented with 26% whole clusters to 13.4% alc., the wine spending 4 weeks on skins and aged 12 months in 26% new French oak. 930 dozen made. ”
June 2014.
2012 Doctors Flat Pinot Noir - Five years on, still strong...
Joelle Thompson, www.joellethomson.com
“ When Steve Davies first made Pinot Noir from the three hectare vineyard he lives on at Bannockburn in Central Otago, he quickly got the positive attention of critics, fellow winemakers and a handful of those in the wine trade who were lucky enough to taste this full bodied southern wine. Five vintages down the track, Davies has fine tuned things to create an equally impressive full bodied Pinot Noir but one which has softer, smoother, rounder tannins today.
The production is small scale so he has the luxury of being able to pay close attention to the details of winemaking, but it is the vineyard that has received the most attention from Davies.
By getting fully involved at all stages of the vine's life cycle, he has been able to pinpoint more ideal pruning and cropping regimes to bestow on the Dijon clones 114, 115 and 777 of Pinot Noir that he grows.
This wine, the 2012 Doctors Flat Pinot Noir, is the best ever, in my view, but then I said that about the 2011.
The elevation in quality in both 2011 and 2012 comes from a smoothness of tannins in these wines, which has moved this already impressive Pinot Noir up a notch on the quality and style ladder, enhancing the firm, full bodied style and long finish.
Davies says he put 26% of the grapes directly in tank as whole bunches, then fermented them without adding any yeast to this portion. Four weeks later, the wine was drained to French oak where it spent 12 months without any added sulfur dioxide. The wine then had one filtration after blending and spent another five months in tank prior to bottling.
Doctors Flat Pinot Noir is one of Central Otago's stand out Pinot Noirs in both blind and sight-seen tastings, proving that a little TLC goes a long way in the right corner of the world's southernmost wine region. More detail can be found on Davies' website at: www.doctorsflat.co.nz ”
2012 Pinot Noir
Jamie Goode, www.wineanorak.com:
95/100
“ From Bannockburn. Very fresh, bright and vivid with lovely pure, elegant cherry fruit. Supple, fine and silky with nice freshness. This really is elegant. ”
Full Review.
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012
Cameron Douglas Master Sommelier, camerondouglasms.blogspot.co.nz
“ A bouquet with complexity, depth and charm - very floral driven light red fruits with black cherry and baked raspberry; plenty of select brown oak spices and soft herb attributes. On the palate - dry with medium+ complexity (and building) showing off the harmony between fruit, oak and wine making skill; very gentle soft herb notes alongside a medium terroir layer; medium+ acidity (just), medium+ tannins - quite fine with a mix of fruit and oak; balanced and very well made with a long finish. ”
Friday, 4 April 2014
2011 Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting Notes
Download PDF: DFV 2011 Tasting and Tech Notes
Reviews
Pinot Noir 2011
Michael Cooper
“The 2011 vintage () is a youthful, single-vineyard red, grown at Bannockburn. Very finely scented, it is deep and youthful in colour, mouthfilling, rich and supple. Sweet-fruited, with ripe cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, it is a finely textured, unusually savoury and complex red, with strong personality. Drink now or cellar.”
2011 Doctors Flat Pinot Noir - Silky Delicious Red.
Joelle Thompson, The Dominion Post
“ If all young pinots tasted this good, the world would be a better place; this is the fourth vintage and the best yet from Doctors Flat. Its deliciously approachable bright red fruit flavours burst in each juicy mouthful. And it has aging potential, thanks to winemaker Steve Davies’ hand tended Bannockburn vineyard. ”
Your Weekend 11/5/13
2011 Pinot Noir
Wine Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz:
94/100
“One of the impressive pinots from the 2011 vintage, the gorgeous bouquet shows perfumed aromas of dark cherry, game, floral and hints of cedar and mushroom. It's concentrated and full on the palate with velvety texture and excellent richness, finishing superbly long. The wine shows lovely harmony and frame, brilliantly supported by plenty of polished tannins. At its best: now to 2020. 460 cases made. 14%. Screw cap. "
April 2013.
2011 Pinot Noir
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews,
www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz:
18.5/20
“ Dark, deep, ruby-red colour with purple-black hues, a little lighter on rim. This has a tightly concentrated but elegantly proportioned bouquet with penetrating aromas of ripe black berry and black cherry aromas, along with some resinous oak elements, dark herbs and minerals. Violetty florals and spices emerge in the glass. Medium-full bodied, concentrated, vibrantly bright flavours of black berries and cherries are enlivened by fresh acidity with fine-grained tannin in support. The fruit is accompanied by some resiny oak which melds with spicy herb and mineral nuances, and these flavours should integrate as the wine mellows. The mouthfeel is one of vitality and energy, and the bright fruit drives the palate to a very fine-textured, fresh-fruited and lively, sustained finish. This is a tightly concentrated, bright and lively, black-fruited Pinot Noir with the fine structure to see it develop with plenty of interest over the next 5-6+ years. Serve with Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. Clones 115, 777 and 114 from the ‘Doctors Flat’ vineyard, Bannockburn, indigenous yeast fermented with approx. 15% whole bunch to 14.1% alc., the wine spending 30 days on skins and aged 12 months in French oak. 460 cases made. 18.5-/20 Apr 2013 RRP $46.00 "
April 2013
2011 Pinot Noir
Yvonne Lorkin, www.yvonnelorkin.com:
“ Pinot lovers, no, scratch that. Wine lovers will fall in love with the opulent, plump and spicy-sweet red fruit that practically bounces from the glass with every sniff. Winemaker Steve Davies has made a magically flavoursome pinot bursting with wild strawberry, baked rhubarb, cranberry, cherry compote and cassia bark. Every sip will deliver something different and delicious and I’m absolutely enthralled by this wine – more please!! "
May 2013.
2011 Doctors Flat Pinot Noir
Jane Skilton (MW), Independant Wine Monthly
www.independentwinemonthly.co.nz:
“ Steve Davies makes one of Central’s loveliest pinots. Never overblown, he manages to keep the fruit in the red spectrum; cherry, raspberry and red plum without ever veering into the dark, super extracted end of things."
May 2013.
2011 Doctors Flat Pinot Noir
Jasper Morris (MW)
Wine Buying Director at Berry Bros & Rudd est. 1698
www.bbr.com:
“ The 2011 Pinot Noir from Doctors Flat is a supple wine, finely perfumed, with deep, youthful colour. Farmed organically, bottled without fining or filtration and aged for 12 months in French oak, it displays a fleshu character, with dense, ripe flavours, notably savoury and complex, and a long, finely poised finish. Full of personality, the wine is drinking well now but it will be rewarding to cellar and drink progressively over the next decade."
June 2013.
2010 Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting Notes
Download PDF: DFV 2010 Tasting and Tech Notes
Reviews
5 Nation Wine Challenge
www.boutiquewines.com.au
Double Gold, Second in class, (class 8, Pinot Noir)
Pinot Noir 2010
Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide, 2013 Edition
“The 2010 vintage () is a classic candidate for cellaring. A single-vineyard red, grown at Bannockburn and picked at 24.5 to 25.1 brix, it was fermented with indigenous yeasts, matured for a year in French oak barrels (33 per cent), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. A powerful, very youthful, deeply coloured wine, it has fresh, deep cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, complex, savoury and full of potential. Open 2014+.
The 2009 () is also a lovely wine, finely textured and seamless, with excellent vigour and density "
2010 Pinot Noir
Sam Kim, WIne Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz:
95/100
“From a small vineyard in Bannockburn, this new label is a rising star from this prestigious pinot region. The bouquet is youthful and beautifully complex displaying dark cherry, plum, game and floral notes. It's rich and concentrated on the palate with velvety texture and plenty of fine-grained tannins providing superb structure and length. At its best: now to 2018. $44.00. Moderate availability. 14% Screw cap. "
Issue 20, 2012.
2010 Pinot Noir
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews,
www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz:
18+/20
“ The nose is tightly bound with firmly concentrated aromas of ripe dark red berry fruits, complexed by hints of liquorice, dark herbs, oak toast and a little reduction which melds with bouquet with breathing. Medium-full bodied, rich and concentrated flavours of ripe, dark berry fruits, plums with liquorice and thyme herbs form a deep core. The wine is brooding, but reveals a savoury sweetness and succulence, supported by fine-grained, firm tannins that drive the palate line. Gentle acidity provides vitality and life and enhances the very long, delicately lush fruit flavours on the finish. This is a concentrated and finely structured and presented Pinot Noir with richness and subtle succulence. It will develop well to reveal plenty of character over the next 6-8 years. Serve with roasted red meat dishes. Clones 115, 777 and 114 from the ‘Doctors Flat’ vineyard, Bannockburn, fermented with 20% whole bunch and indigenous yeast fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine kept on skins 27 days and aged 12 months in one-third new French oak barrels. 188 cases made. 18.0+/20 RRP $44.00 "
Sep 2012
2009 Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting Notes
Download PDF: DFV 2009 Tasting and Tech Notes
Reviews
2009 Pinot Noir
Sam Kim, WIne Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz:
95/100
“A magnificent Pinot showing beautifully perfumed aromas of dark cherry, blueberry, game and gently pitched cedary oak characters. It's concentrated and dense on the palate with velvety texture and outstanding mid palate weight. A rich Pinot yet elegant and perfectly poised at the same time. One to watch. At its best: 2012 to 2018. 174 cases made. 14% Screw cap."
November 2011.
2009 Pinot Noir
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews.
www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz:
19/20
“Fruit from the ‘Doctors Flat’ vineyard in Bannockburn. Clones 114, 115 and 777 approx. 21% whole bunch, wild yeast fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine matured in one-third French oak for 12 months. Fullish, dark, purple-hued ruby-red colour with good depth. The bouquet is fine, intense and concentrated with dark red and black berry fruit aromas, along with a violetty floral lift and subtle oak spice. Medium full-bodied, this has a finely proportioned palate with tightly bound and concentrated black berry and cherry fruit flavours showing richness and lusciousness, nuanced by subtle floral and thyme-herb notes. The wine has very fine-grained tannin extraction and excellent acidity, resulting in finesse, freshness and excellent line and length. An archetype Bannockburn Pinot Noir style with intensity and fine structure to match Asian and Middle Eastern duck, pork and lamb dishes over 6-8+ years.."
August 2011.
2009 Pinot Noir
Joelle Thomson, The Dominion Post:
“This week’s treat - 2009 Doctor’s Flat Pinot Noir $44
This newcomer is from highly experienced Central Otago winemaker Steve Davies and the 2009 is a full bodied, earthy style which has more in common with many Martinborough pinot noirs than the juicy fruit hallmarks of the south. I like this evolution towards spice, dark plum flavours and medium acids, which balance the wine beautifully."
26 November 2011.
2009 Pinot Noir
Nick Stock in Gourmet Traveler:
“2009 Doctors Flat Pinot Noir (NZ$44)
This shows impressive composure and presence with ripe dark cherries, dark berry pastry, plums and nicely matched toasty oak spice. The palate’s ripe and supple with plum-flavoured fruits and a swathe of acid punching through sturdy tannins."
http://gourmettraveller.com.au/new-zealand-pinot-nirvana.htm
2008 Pinot Noir
Winery Tasting Notes
Download PDF: DFV 2008 Tasting and Tech Notes
2008 Pinot Noir
Sam Kim, WIne Orbit, www.wineorbit.co.nz:
93/100
“This stylish Pinot shows the classic Bannockburn richness while remaining firm and structured with plenty of ripe red/black cherry flavours combined with spice, game and cedar complexity. The palate is concentrated and ripe showing silky texture and fine-grained tannins providing an elegant dry finish. It's starting to show some bottle maturity but certainly hasn't reached its peak yet - which is impressive considering many 2008s are showing premature characters. At its best: now to 2014. $39.00. 196 cases made. 13.5% Screw cap."
October 2011.
2008 Pinot Noir
Raymond Chan Wine Reviews,
www.raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz:
18+/20
“Bright ruby-red colour with some depth and some light garnet hues showing on edge. This has a tight, concentrated and elegant nose, a little shy in expression, with aromas of dark red berry and soft red fruits along with notes of dried herbs and earthy, mushroomy secondary nuances. Medium full-bodied, this has mouthfilling flavours of complex dark red berry, strawberry and subtle, savoury nuances of earth and autumnal fruits, underlined by fine-grained, dry tannins and racy acidity providing focus and tension. The wine has a sustained finish featuring fruit and secondary elements. Made from ‘Doctors Flat’ vineyard Dijon clone 114 and 777 fruit, contract farmed under Steve Davies’ supervision, approx. 16% whole bunch and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.8% alc., the wine aged 12 months in one-third new French oak barrels. Match this lively, elegant wine with good developing flavours with wild duck and game meats over the next 4-6+ years. 18.0+/20 Aug 2011 RRP $39.00"
24 August 2011
2008 Pinot Noir
Jane Skilton, IWM Weekly bulletin:
“I tasted the wine last year and thought it was delicious ....
The good news is that the ‘08 vintage has a very smart new label which compliments the wine. In the 12 months since I first tasted it, it has developed a lovely touch of age; some savoury fresh mushroom and forest floor notes. Floral, high toned with a very pretty violet character, just a touch of tannin. The 2009 may be the 'better' vintage, but this 2008 is absolutely delicious and perfect for drinking now.”
12December 2011.
.
2008 Pinot Noir
Bob Campbell:
85/100
“Strong sweet fruit with appealing layers of bright cherry, spice, floral and wild herb flavours. Perhaps a cooler site but has character and moderate length.”
September 2010.
