Passionate admirer of fine Pinot Noir and Patriarch of Nepenthe, Dr Ed Tweddell, derived great pleasure from our Pinot. His untimely passing in 2005 cut short that enjoyment, but we continue his legacy with an unswerving commitment to making fine Pinot Noir in his name.
Vintage 2012 experienced average rainfall throughout the growing period and a slightly cooler than average flowering period resulting in lower bunch number and in turn, lower crop levels. Conditions during the ripening period were ideal with mild day time temperatures and cold nights frequently below 10oC, all conducive to excellent flavour development and the retention of natural acidity in the fruit. Harvest commenced in early February and lower than average crop levels led to fruit ripening quickly and another condensed vintage. The combination of low crop levels and mild conditions during the ripening period has resulted in some of the best quality fruit for a number of years.
Pinot noir is suited to high altitude (i.e. cool), low-vigour sites in the central Hills. The 2012 Good Doctor blend is a combination of fruit from our estate blocks at Lenswood along and one grower high up (600m) in the hills north east of Woodside. The estate blocks at Lenswood are steep, with shallow, gravelly soils. Soil at the Woodside grower is sandy loam with ironstone. All fruit is hand-picked Fruit and rapidly transported to the winery where fermentation occurs in tank; time on skins 10 days. After pressing the wine is allowed to settle for 24 hours, and then racked to French oak barrels (~30% brand new) with the balance made up of 1 to 2 year old barrels. Malolatic fermentation occurs spontaneously in barrel; the wine is then racked and left to age in barrel for 10 months. Intensive barrel tasting and selection is undertaken to ensure only the best are selected for the Good Doctor.
Vintage 2012 experienced average rainfall throughout the growing period and a slightly cooler than average flowering period resulting in lower bunch number and in turn, lower crop levels. Conditions during the ripening period were ideal with mild day time temperatures and cold nights frequently below 10oC, all conducive to excellent flavour development and the retention of natural acidity in the fruit. Harvest commenced in early February and lower than average crop levels led to fruit ripening quickly and another condensed vintage. The combination of low crop levels and mild conditions during the ripening period has resulted in some of the best quality fruit for a number of years.
Pinot noir is suited to high altitude (i.e. cool), low-vigour sites in the central Hills. The 2012 Good Doctor blend is a combination of fruit from our estate blocks at Lenswood along and one grower high up (600m) in the hills north east of Woodside. The estate blocks at Lenswood are steep, with shallow, gravelly soils. Soil at the Woodside grower is sandy loam with ironstone. All fruit is hand-picked Fruit and rapidly transported to the winery where fermentation occurs in tank; time on skins 10 days. After pressing the wine is allowed to settle for 24 hours, and then racked to French oak barrels (~30% brand new) with the balance made up of 1 to 2 year old barrels. Malolatic fermentation occurs spontaneously in barrel; the wine is then racked and left to age in barrel for 10 months. Intensive barrel tasting and selection is undertaken to ensure only the best are selected for the Good Doctor.
