BOUCHARD FINLAYSON RELEASES
DELICIOUSLY FRUITY SUMMER WHITES
Issued by FIVESTAR PR On behalf of
Bouchard Finlayson
Sans Barrique Chardonnay
Summer is in full swing, and it is
the perfect time for Bouchard Finlayson to release its 2013 white wines – with the season
proving to be a stellar year for its Blanc de Mer
2013, Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Sans Barrique Chardonnay 2013 and 2013
Crocodile’s Lair/‘Kaaimansgat’ Chardonnay. Notes winemaker Peter Finlayson: ‘Vintage 2013 followed
from a particularly long and protracted winter, which presented a late ripening
season for most grape varieties - a situation which has resulted in some
deliciously fruity white wines with confirmed racy structures!’ The new
releases are available at the cellar in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, and at
leading wine merchants around the country.
Bouchard Finlayson’s Blanc de Mer blend, which has been in existence for over 20 years,
continues to gain international popularity, having recently been listed to the
famous Moulin Rouge theatre in Paris. The 2013 vintage enjoys a 52% Riesling
component in the blend, the highest proportion of Riesling in any vintage of
Blanc de Mer to date.
The Bouchard Finlayson Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2013 vintage is the product of older Sauvignon Blanc vines,
with some plantings now exceeding twenty years of age. These mature vines offer
richness of fruit which extend to bolder wines as evident in the 2013 vintage,
described by Finlayson as possibly the winery’s richest and most structured
Sauvignon Blanc ever.
The un-oaked Bouchard Finlayson Sans Barrique Chardonnay 2013 meanwhile captures support from those who enjoy the
flinty clean character of Chablis and similar wines. Says Finlayson: ‘The rich
character of this wine stems from the clay based soils at the wonderful
vineyard location of the Elandskloof Valley of Villiersdorp. Heavy clay and
stony soils, non-irrigated with an excellent winter chill compliment,
contributes to its confirmed flavour profile.’
Bouchard Finlayson’s 22-year
association with the Kaaimansgat Chardonnay vineyard has become something of an
institution, contributing greatly to its Chardonnay success. The late picking
of the grapes – and subsequent early release of the 2013 Crocodile’s Lair/‘Kaaimansgat’
Chardonnay has offered fruit display and
presents a bottling with floral notes which play to the ‘fresh palate’
enthusiasts.
TASTING NOTES
A white wine for all occasions. 52%
Riesling component, 20% Viognier, 11% Chardonnay, 9% Sauvignon blanc, 6%
Semillon and 2 % Chenin blanc. This vintage is fresh and sprightly with fresh
citrus and quince flavours. Lively on the palate but inviting and lingering
which means it is an ideal companion to Oysters, sushi or simply as an
aperitif.
This hand-picked estate fruit
presents an intensity and spiciness with a haunting perfume of gooseberry and
lemon grass layered over a mineral rich creamy palate. More tropical than
grassy, with great fruit tones and lots of body. It is also expected to age
well.
Clean fruit flavours of green apple,
gooseberry and guava present a classically straight forward and austere taste
profile. Yeast flavours and an organic mineral quality arising from a
small harvest of concentrated fruit add to its complexity and ageing ability.
This vintage is an excellent accompaniment to lobster and other shellfish, or
sushi.
The grapes were fermented in classic
Burgundian fashion and allowed to age in small barrels in contact with the
original fermentation yeast. The wine reflects a traditional mineral quality
which is symptomatic of the vineyard’s austere location. While currently tight
and fresh, the evolution of this bottling will gradually offer more pronounced
nutty and creamy components with enhanced maturation flavours.
ABOUT
BOUCHARD FINLAYSON
Established
in 1989 in the temperate Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on 125 hectares (312 acres) of
Walker Bay's prime viticultural land, Bouchard Finlayson Vineyard and Winery is
a small cellar dedicated to the quality production of Pinot noir, Chardonnay
and Sauvignon blanc. Ever since releasing their first vintages, the name
Bouchard Finlayson has been internationally synonymous with excellence. Today,
owned by the Red Carnation Hotels’ Tollman family and under the leadership of
Victoria Tollman and winemaker Peter Finlayson, 22 hectares (54 acres) of the
estate are currently under vine with 50% devoted to the varietal for which
Peter is most acclaimed – Pinot noir. Other cultivars under production include
Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Sangiovese, as well as a handful under
exploration. Bouchard Finlayson is an accredited Championship member of the
Biodiversity and Wine initiative (BWI).
Situated on the R320 near Hermanus, Bouchard Finlayson vineyard and winery is open for tastings and sales Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00 and on Saturdays from 10h00 to 13h00. For further information, call +27 28 312 3515; email info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za; or visit www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za.
