Bouchard Finlayson 2010 Tete De Cuvee
Bouchard Finlayson has released the 2010 vintage of its iconic Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir which, according to winemaker Peter Finlayson, is ‘our best Pinot Noir vintage since 2005 and 2007. Those were great years, but we expect exciting things from the 2010, which has just won the Gold Medal at the internationally renowned 2013 Decanter World Wine Awards, held in London last month (May 2013). It also achieved a stellar 93 points in Wine Spectator Magazine USA (September 2012) - our highest ever score for our Galpin Peak blend’, he says.
Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir is Bouchard Finlayson’s Icon Wine and has been reaping awards for over a decade. The 2001 vintage won Gold at the International WINE Challenge 2003 in the UK; the 2003 release received the Winemakers’ Choice Diamond Award in 2005; while the 2006 was a Trophy Winner at the Old Mutual Trophy Awards in 2008. The 2001, 2003 and 2005 vintages were all awarded 5 stars in the John Platter Wine Guide, with the 2005 Tête de Cuvée being crowned the overall SA Wine Winner in the 2008 guide. More recently, the 2009 vintage won the Gold Medal at the Five Nations Wine Challenge 2012 in Sydney, where Bouchard Finlayson was the only South African winery to have obtained an award for Pinot Noir.
South Africa’s ‘Pinot Pioneer’ Peter Finlayson explains that Tête de Cuvée’s appeal lies in its extraordinary quality and exclusivity: ‘Tête de Cuvée is a limited edition bottling of only the best Pinot noir barrels for any single vintage. It is not produced every year, but here is an opportunity to spoil and take advantage of the best of this quality fruit, which traditionally derives from the same specific terroir. The essence of this particular terroir rests locked up in its soil profile – truth be told, the reason why it’s so good remains a mystery!’ he concludes.
The 2010 Tête de Cuvée edition is a barrel selection of the best from the 2010 vintage. As the wine matured in 100% new wood, more time is required for the ageing and bottle maturation, resulting in greater complexity. The 2010 edition is a robust, dark and full-bodied wine with real complexity, rich with a delicious core of blueberry, wild cherry and fresh fruit flavours. It has a strong finish – and lots of ageing potential.
Bouchard Finlayson’s 2010 Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot Noir is available from the vineyard’s Tasting Room at R683 per bottle, and will be available with international agents and in selected outlets in the near future.
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 09h30 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
