Blanc de Mer, Bouchard Finlayson
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Typical youthful floral aromas precede a tight, vertically focussed palate. Flinty and mouth-watering acidity slices through delicious bright pineapple and nectar flavours, enlivening the senses. It will take time for the characteristic wet stone and kerosene details of Riesling to develop in the bottle. The 2021 blend consists of Riesling, Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
12.7 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
4.0 g/L
pH
3.22
ACIDITY
6.8 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Chris Albrecht
VARIETY
White Blend
FINED USING
Bentonite
SULPHUR
101 mg/l
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Screw top
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Cape South Coast
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
It’s been remarked before how the weather, during recent odd vintages, seems to behave to the benefit of local vintners. 2021 followed this pattern of 2019, 2017 and 2015. Yields varied significantly between cultivars and apart from a big rain event on 14 March, dry and cool conditions prevailed during picking. Phenolic ripeness out performed sugar accumulation in the berries, resulting in juices with low potential alcohol and balanced natural acidities.
Vinification details
Before pressing, all grapes are destemmed and fermented in a cool environment without oak. Sauvignon Blanc makes a return to the blend, mostly for aromatic diversity and palate refreshment.
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Contact us to discuss
Blanc de Mer, Bouchard Finlayson
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Delicate peach and floral flavours are in perfect harmony with citrus-infused waxy fullness. The wine flows easily from a bright and clean entry to the long, tangy finish. Invigorating acidity gives structure to well-rounded mid-palate. Great now, but will develop additional complexity. Blend of Riesling, Viognier & Chardonnay
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
12.9 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3.5 g/L
pH
3.22
ACIDITY
6.1 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Chris Albrecht
VARIETY
White Blend
FINED USING
Bentonite
SULPHUR
91 mg/l
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Screw top
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Cape South Coast
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
Yes
Vintage conditions
Spring 2019 saw ideal weather conditions during flower and fruit set, heightening expectations for the upcoming vintage. However, hopes were soon challenged by the atypical and unstable weather presented early in the New Year. Fortunately, dry conditions set in as soon as harvest commenced, with the crop remaining healthy. Volumes recovered slightly from the light 2019 vintage and all-round, unexpectedly positive, fruit-quality was delivered to the cellar.
Vinification details
The clean, racy lines of Weisser Riesling, in combination with a perfumed and viscous presence of Viognier are the components of choice. Both components are fermented cool and matured separately in steel tanks, until blended in unison, with the mediating role of Chardonnay
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Contact us to discuss
Blanc de Mer, Bouchard Finlayson
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
An enticing blend consisting of 69% Riesling, 20% Viognier, 9% Chardonnay and 2% Sauvignon Blanc creating wave upon wave of refreshing pineapple and apricot fruit purity, packed with floral perfume. Silken richness and elegance combine to entice the senses. A lemony persistence, with saline highlights, makes for an appealing finish. Great now, but will develop additional complexity.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.1 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3.8 g/L
pH
3.20
ACIDITY
6.8 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Chris Albrecht
VARIETY
White Blend
FINED USING
Bentonite/Milk
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Screw top
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Cape South Coast
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
No
Vintage conditions
Vintage 2019 will long be remembered for the raging wild fire that swept across the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley on 11th January – less than three weeks before the first grapes were picked. Bouchard were fortunate not to be majorly impacted and brought in a healthy, yet slightly lighter crop. The reduced yield was the result of milder than normal winter temperatures. Weather conditions remained cool and relatively dry throughout February and March.
Vinification details
Harvested with a focus on vibrant freshness, the Riesling vineyards lay a linear foundation for the eventual blend. As a counter-point, Viognier from an elevated Elgin site is permitted to ripen fully – to the point where this cultivar develops its characteristic floral fragrance. Both components were fermented cool and matured separately in steel tanks, until blended in unison, with the mediating role of Chardonnay.
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Contact us to discuss
Blanc de Mer, Bouchard Finlayson
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Hints of quince, apricot and almonds with a comforting creamy middle and a bold seamless surround. Fresh and vibrant, with a convincing strength and quality finish. A blend of 65% Riesling, 18% Chardonnay, 16% Viognier and 1% Sauvignon Blanc.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.3 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3.5 g/L
pH
3.30
ACIDITY
5.4 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Chris Albrecht
VARIETY
White Blend
FINED USING
Milk
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Screw top
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Western Cape
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
No
Vintage conditions
Vintage 2018 commenced on 8th February. Fruit quality proved to be excellent and cropping levels were encouraging, this in spite of drought conditions being the talk of the day. Fortunately the Hemel-en-Aarde region is blessed with a distinctive micro-climate which defied the predictors of poor expectations. The few rain showers received during the vintage was a positive experience and added to the calibre of the vintage.
Vinification details
The grapes were lightly pressed and clear juice was fermented cold, where the eventual wine was left to evolve on the primary lees until blended and prepared for bottling.
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Tasting video
With winemaker Chris Albrecht.
Contact us to discuss
Blanc de Mer, Bouchard Finlayson
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Hints of quince, apricot and almonds with a comforting creamy middle and a bold seamless surround. The 2017 vintage is fresh and vibrant, with a convincing strength and quality finish. Bottled for the first time under screwcap! A blend of 60% Riesling, 20% Viognier, 13% Chardonnay, 5% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Semillon.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.1 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
4.2 g/L
pH
3.24
ACIDITY
6.3 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Peter Finlayson and Chris Albrecht
VARIETY
White Blend
FINED USING
Milk
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Screw top
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Cape South Coast
VEGETARIAN
Yes
VEGAN
No
Vintage conditions
Vintage 2017 presented a low yield, but fortunately turned out to be a high quality happening. The summer weather pattern was decidedly dry, a situation which impacted in supporting a modest harvest. These mild conditions culminated in a quality vintage that helped set the foundation for a high standard and fine wine expectations from 2017.
Vinification details
The grapes were pressed whole bunch and clear juice was fermented cold where the eventual wine was left to evolve on the primary lees until blended and prepared for bottling.
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss
Blanc de Mer, Bouchard Finlayson
Blanc de Mer is an unusual blend from the Cape where Riesling is virtually unknown as a blending partner; this is a wine with a lot of personality.
Very rich with complex tones of peaches, roses and winter melon. A firm mouthfeel with a notable core of minerality which promises to unfold into gentle layers of added warm tones as it develops. A blend of 61% Riesling, 17% Viognier, 12% Chardonnay, 8% Sauvignon Blanc and 2% Semillon.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.1 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3.4 g/L
pH
3.42
ACIDITY
5.1 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Peter Finlayson
VARIETY
White Blend
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Cape South Coast
Vintage conditions
2016 vintage was generous and produced quality grapes at optimal ripeness after a more than comfortable summer.
Vinification details
A straightforward approach was taken to fermenting the clarified grape must after a firm pressing and good juice recovery. Fermentation was completed over a ten day controlled, cold monitoring of the process where the resulting wine was allowed to remain on primary lees for six months. This extended lees contact helps to expand the creamy mouth feel of this wine which adds to the complexity and aging potential.
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss