2021 Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir

"Still reticent on the nose, a quieter, cooler style with very fine chalky tannins and detailed floral, mineral-inflected fruit. Youthfully austere even at this age, this is a slow-burner which will gain more finesse and detail with time in the cellar. No rush with this one 17 Nov 2024." Further notes from the award panel: "This is a singular wine that is the fruit of the singular focus of vigneron Steve Davies. Since 2008, Davies has dedicated himself exclusively to crafting this one pinot noir from his single, organically farmed Bannockburn vineyard. This impressive and characterful wine, which captures the intensity of Central Otago fruit and the vineyard’s hallmark cool mineral energy, is grounded in both this special site and decades of experience. Davies’ background includes years of international pinot experience, making wine in California at Saintsbury in Sonoma, as well as vintages in Oregon, Burgundy, and Central Otago—as winemaker at Carrick and Akarua. After a lengthy and meticulous search for a great pinot noir site from which to make his own wines, in 2002 he found an elevated plot of land on deep glacial gravels, which became the 3 ha Doctor’s Flat vineyard." Drink 2026 - 2036

"Very subtle and elegant. There’s a sense of ease in the warm, velvety Bannockburn fruit, interwoven with spices, earthiness, dried herbs and autumn leaves. Compact and precise fruit, super-fine tannins. Consistent across the palate, with great balance and a long, dry, savoury, layered finish. Just a baby – hang on to this one. Organic."

"A beautifully fine boned pinot that focuses on purity and clarity of expression. Red fruited with a lovely ferrous, slightly bunchy cinnamon stick edge. Effortless, it carries its concentration with ease. Light on its feet, tannins are fine grained and ripe. Masses of charm and appeal. Quietly persistent. December 2023."