The Doctors Remedy 2005
If you just looked at the meteorological data for the 2005 vintage you may conclude, falsely, that it was a rather ordinary vintage – 20% more rainfall, 4% less growing degree days, 0.5ºC, lower summer temperatures, only average sunshine hours and the 2nd coolest December on record. However the timing of these climatic events conspired to assist in the production of physiologically ripe grapes with a stunning array and intensity of flavour. Firstly the cool December flowering period reduced crop levels between 10-30%, thus reducing the need to crop thin and ensuring the grapes ripened evenly with only average sunshine hours. Secondly, the higher seasonal rainfall occurred over the first two thirds of the season, producing healthier vines with less stress and more green leaves available late in the season to assist ripening. Finally, April (harvest) was exceptionally dry, at 5.4mm the second lowest rainfall on record; thus allowing the grapes to finish ripening without weather induced botrytis rot.The Doctors’ method is created in the vineyard, where low cropped Pinot Noir (60%) and Chardonnay (40%) ripen slow in Marlborough’s cool dry early Autumn to produce grapes with exceptional flavour and high natural acidity – the ideal substrate for great sparkling wine. Hand harvested, whole bunch pressed, cool fermented, malo-fermentation,, tirage, followed by 40 months yeast aging prior to final disgorging and bottling under screwcap to ensure wine quality.
Tasting Notes
Lemon – straw hued in colour, it erupts from the bottle with the finest of bubbles, inviting, citrus flavoured, white flower scented and brown bread yeast aromas. It’s lively on the palate, smooth, creamy and rich, yet delicate, with fresh acidity, balanced fruit sweetness and a long finish. |
 |
