Contact us
Contact us

AWARDS

New release tasting notes from Bouchard Finlayson

Bouchard Finlayson

Master Sommelier and DWWA judge Eric Zwiebel presented a selection of new releases from South African winery Bouchard Finlayson at a recent tasting at the Milestone Hotel in London. See below for tasting notes and points awarded.

For the full article by Natalie Earl as featured in DECANTER ONLINE AUGUST 2021,  please click here

 

Bouchard Finlayson, Missionvale Chardonnay, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, South Africa 2018

Ripe and buttery aromas are complemented by peach and grapefruit flavours. Toasty, smoky and cream cheesy, this is rich and inviting, intensely spicy and texural, leaving a slight grip on the teeth. Certainly a wine for food, like scallops or barbecued salmon…

Points 93

 

Bouchard Finlayson, Crocodile’s Lair / Kaaimansgat Chardonnay, Overberg, South Africa 2018

Lots of ripe white peach and blossom aromas play with warming vanilla, smoke and toast characters, providing an inviting sensory experience. A mineral edge creeps into the palate, which is enhanced by a spicy acidity. There’s noticeable oak influence, but it’s integrated and serves to add complexity to the pineapple…

Points 92

 

Bouchard Finlayson, Sans Barrique Chardonnay, Cape South Coast, South Africa 2018

With the focus being on purity of fruit, this is an unoaked style of Chardonnay which was fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation. This has given a subtle and elegant nose of white peach, blossom and honeysuckle. A distinct ripeness of fruit comes through, more towards the stone…

Points 92

 

Bouchard Finlayson, Sauvignon Blanc, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, South Africa 2020

This treads a nice line between freshly cut grass and lemon and lime lift. It’s not a tropical fruit bomb, instead a pithy key lime pie with a serious mineral, stony edge. The palate is big with bright florals, developing a richness, from significant extended lees maturation…

Points 91

 

Bouchard Finlayson, Blanc de Mer, Cape South Coast, South Africa 2019

Intensely limey and lemony on the nose, with fresh, friendly and inviting characters of lemon pith, yellow apples and jasmine blossom. Grapefruit overtones, with salty and mineral undertones. This is not a classic combination of grape varieties, but it’s a fun, enjoyable wine made for fresh seafood….

Points 89

 

Bouchard Finlayson, Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, South Africa 2019

A superb Pinot put together using only the very best barrels of Bouchard Finlayson’s flagship wine, Galpin Peak, and only made in exceptional years. A complex selection and marriage of the best new wood, coming from some of the oldest vines on the estate….

Points 95

 

Bouchard Finlayson, Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, South Africa 2019

Smoky and brooding on the nose, with a deep undercurrent of red currants, red cherries, bramble and dark berries. It’s both savoury and full of sweet fruit and toasted almonds, providing instant gratification. Open and inviting, and does feel a little warm on the finish…

Points 93

Bouchard Finlayson, Hannibal, Hemel-en-Aarde, Walker Bay, South Africa 2018

 

Intense and dominated by big spicy, meaty aromas, which follow through onto the palate. Dark ripe fruit mingles with leather and liquorice, a slightly charred, burnt character and grippy tannins. This is dominated mostly by Italian varieties Sangiovese and Nebbiolo…..

Points 90