VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Doctor's

AppellationAnderson Valley
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Luli Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $21 but often discounted to $17.99. Master Sommelier Sara Floyd teams with California’s Pisoni Family to make this wine. Doctor’s, Highlands, Montelinda and Leavens vineyards. 12% whole cluster. Oak barrel aged and bottled unfixed and unfiltered. · A tasty core of black cherry and black raspberry fruit is framed by smoky oak. Silky in the mouth, with balanced tannins in a mid weighted style, with a short, but pleasurable finish. Better over time in the glass as the oak overlay fades. Rare to find a Pinot Noir of this quality for under $20. Score: 89. Reviewed November 12, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Loos Family Coastside Cuvée Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.62, 300 hand-numbered bottles, $42. Primarily sourced from Doctor’s Vineyard. Mainly Dijon 777 clone and Swan selection harvested at 26.5º Brix. Over 10% whole cluster, 4-day cold soak, 14-day primary fermentation using feral and selected proprietary yeasts. Aged 11 months in medium toast plus French oak barrels, 70% neutral and 30% new. Bottled unfined with nominal polish filter. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of grape, Damsel plum, black raspberry and nutty oak. Mid weight flavors of black cherry and blueberry-pomegranate with a straw note in the background. The tannins are well matched, and the finish is particularly heady. The wine picks up fruit intensity over time in the glass, yet there is something about the flavor profile that puzzles me. Score: 89. Reviewed October 19, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Lucienne Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.78, TA 0.63, 640 cases, $50. This vineyard consistently produces the most robust fruit that translates into wines that show intense dark fruit flavors and significant tannins. Clones are Jack 16, 777 and 667. Aged 13 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately deep purple color in the glass. The initially shy nose becomes more exuberant over time offering aromas of dark berry compote, black cherry, black currant and oak-driven toast and vanilla. The wine offers the most intensely sappy fruit in the 2012 lineup, with pleasing flavors of blackberry, black cherry and black currant. The tannins are well matched and supportive, and the mouthfeel is smooth and accommodating. The wine becomes more expressive over time in the glass. When tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was still aromatic with plenty of slightly spicy and smoky berry and cherry fruit, and a silken smooth texture. Score: 92. Reviewed August 25, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Hahn Estate SLH Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.62, 5,000 cases, $35. Released October 2012. Sourced from four estate vineyards (Smith, Doctor’s, Hook and Lone Oak). Clones are 113, 115, 667, 777, 2A, Mt. Eden, Pommard 5, Jackson 9. 100% de-stemmed, aged 11 months in 40% new and 60% neutral French oak barrels. · Medium reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromatically stellar from the get go with scents of black cherry, black raspberry, spice and a touch of smoky oak. Easy to like on the moderately lush palate with a core of black cherry fruit wrapped in gentle tannins, showing an undercurrent of smoky oak and anise. A forward drinking wine that is quite enjoyable. Score: 88. Reviewed November 9, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Hahn Estate SLH Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.81, TA 0.62, $35. 65% Doctor’s Vineyard, 22% Smith Vineyard and 13% Lone Oak Vineyard. Clones are Pommard 5, 667, 777, 115 and 2A. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very enticing nose offering bright aromas of black cherry liquor, sassafras, toasted brioche and oak spice. Delicious essence of fresh black cherries with impressive mid palate presence. Relatively full-bodied with mild dusty tannins. Accents of red velvet cake and cola add interest. Drinking nicely now. Very good. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Armanino Family Cellars The Pintail Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

15.2% alc., $55. · Moderately dark reddish-purple hue in the glass. Complex array of aromas including dark berries, briar, wine cellar, violin case and bark. Rich and burly, with copious amounts of sweet, sappy dark berry fruits complimented by a subtle hint of oak. Smoothly textured with mild tannins and some fruit-driven length on the finish. A bit monotone, but hard to ignore the vigorous fruit. Good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Waveland Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $34. Crafted under the direction of Stuart Ake. · Moderately light reddish-purple hue in the glass. Shy initially, but picks up aromatic intensity in the glass over time, offering aromas of red raspberries, cranberries and cherries. A soft, light and simple wine featuring red fruits, an undertone of oak and herbs, and supple tannins. An easy drinker. Decent (+) Reviewed July 23, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Damian Ray Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $39. Crafted under the direction of Jon Tarabini. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Pleasant perfume of strawberries, spice and red hard candy. A fruity, somewhat simple wine with a core of red berries and red cherries. Soft in the mouth with bright acidity, restrained tannins and a hint of alcoholic heat on the finish. Good. Reviewed July 23, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 High Flyer Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands

14.5% alc., 825 cases, $40. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely dark fruit aromas with a touch of cola and spice. Middleweight flavors of black cherries and black raspberries with a complimentary note of sassafras and vanilla. Sleek and very soft in the mouth with restrained, dusty tannins. An appealing wine offering reasonable length on the finish and admirable balance. Very good. Source: www.highflyerwines.com. Reviewed February 22, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Lucienne Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.63, 647 cases, $50. Released May 2011.11 different clones of Pinot Noir planted in this vineyard of 243 acres including Calera, 828, 777 and Swan. Aged in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple robe. Aromas of ripe raspberries and cherries. Tasty core of cherries, red plums and vanilla. A lighter, elegantly styled wine with a lingering fruit presence on the bright finish. Good (+). Reviewed August 13, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Lucienne Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.63, 647 cases, $50. Released May 2011.Aged in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. This wine pushes the ripeness envelope with aromas of black cherries, black raspberries and black currants accented by spice, sandalwood and vanilla, and flavors that mimic the aromas with an added undertone of smoky oak and anise. Very silky and harmonious with a satisfying fullness on the palate. Score: 87. Reviewed November 9, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Bruliam Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.55, $52. Aged for 11 months in 50% new Franch oak from Remond. Clones 828, 777, 667 and Swan. · This is a crowd pleaser and a little more substantial tease with its exuberant scent of black cherries, dark red berries and forest floor. The tasty fruit is well robed in suede tannins creating an invitingly smooth mouth feel. Like eating kirsch-soaked cherries on a velvet blanket. Very Good. Reviewed December 14, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Bruliam Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.64, $52, sold out. Inaugural release from this new producer who donates 100% of profits from sales to a charitable foundation. 100% destemmed. Primarily Dijon clone 115 and Calera selection with smaller amounts of 667, 2A and Swan. Barreled as 70% free run juice and 30% press fraction. Aged 11 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddishpurple color in the glass. Brooding aromas of blackberries, ripe strawberries and a hint of oak sap and toast. A fruit-driven wine displaying charming and generous flavors of plums, dark berries and quince. Thick and bold, but not jammy, with supple tannins leaving a bit of heat in its wake on the finish. Very typical of Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir. Good. Reviewed June 8, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Lucienne Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc.. · Moderately deep reddish-purple robe in the glass. Very attractive nose replete with spiced berries. An extremely charming wine with the berry fruit core enhanced with notes of spice, cola and chocolate. Discretely rich, beautifully balanced, with an appealing elegance. Very good. Reviewed April 8, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Lucienne Vineyards Doctor’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 347 cases, $35. Vineyard planted in 2002. 100% de-stemmed, cold soak for 3 days, inoculated with BGY yeast, fermented in 3-ton open top fermenters, punched down three times a day, pressed with a basket press. Aged 12 months in 47% new and 53% neutral French oak barrels. · Deep rich nose of fresh plum tart with near port aromas. Brambly, earthy and rich dark stone fruit flavors with a riff of raisin and oak, framed by soft tannins and good acidity. The fruit approaches but does not cross over into over ripeness. Reviewed April 18, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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