DOCTORS FLAT PINOT NOIR 2018

Selected for the Fine Wines of New Zealand list

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. Steve's dedication was recently acknowledged by having this wine included in the Air New Zealand Fine Wines of New Zealand list.

Steve Davies left his job as wine maker at Carrick and set about turning his small organically farmed Bannockburn vineyard into one of the regions best. This release is an absolute stunner. We've always loved the elegance and purity in Steve's wine but in 2018 the stars seemed to have aligned and the result is a Pinot Noir of elegance, charm, flavour length… already a bottle of absolute deliciousness.

5 Stars & 96/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, December 2021 (2018 Vintage)
"A stunning expression of the variety with dark cherry, toasted spice, thyme, cured meat and dark mushroom aromas, it's concentrated and richly textured in the mouth offering terrific fruit power combined with seductive savoury nuances. Impressively weighted and flowing, backed by fine grainy tannins, finishing persistent and structured. At its best: now to 2032."

5 Stars & 95/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, September 2021 (2018 Vintage)
"Produced from grapes grown in a 3-ha Bannockburn vineyard with 480, 000-year-old soils comprising clay, fine silt and gravel. A rich, weighty wine with intense plum, dark cherry, cassis, raspberry, floral and violet flavours. It improves with a little aeration before serving."

5 Stars Michael Cooper (2018 Vintage)
"Still unfolding, the classy 2018 vintage is a single-vineyard red, estate-grown at Bannockburn, matured for a year in French oak barrels (24 per cent new), and bottled without fining or filtering. Deeply coloured, with a fragrant, complex bouquet, it is full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, deep and savoury, and a well-structured finish. Sure to be long-lived, it's well worth cellaring to 2023+."

5 Stars Yvonne Lorkin, September 2021 (2018 Vintage)
"Roaring with tamarillo, rhubarb and wild cherry on the nose and palate, followed by a whack of dark cocoa and roasted spices, makes this an exciting wine for fans of Central Otago pinot noir for sure. It’s got character, style and charm. Brisk acidity and sandy, chewy tannins indicate there’s merit in making sure you appreciate it in a large, swirlable glass so that you can give it a whoomph of oxygen. And definitely consider stashing some away in the cellar until 2030 (if you’re disciplined enough."

Rated Excellent & 94/100 Cameron Douglas MS, September 2021 (2018 Vintage)
"Complex, savoury, true to region and variety with aromas of dark berries, plum and dried herb with a thyme and stony soils aromas, dark cherry and a touch of dried raspberry. Enticing with intrigue and focus on variety and site. Delicious on the palate with flavours that mirror the bouquet, firm-ish tannins and great acid line with a delicious savoury complexity. An excellent example capturing the variety, a sense of place and wonderful pinosity. Best drinking from late 2021 through 2027+."