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
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.
65% Riesling, 19% Viognier, 9% Chardonnay, 4% Semillon and 3% Sauvignon Blanc. Bright tropical aromas are immediately apparent, followed by a rounded yet complex tropical fruit bowl flavour.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.4 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3.5 g/L
pH
3.38
ACIDITY
5.2 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
Vintage 2015 got off to an early start reflecting the rewards of a warm summer season, in contrast to the tough weather conditions experienced during the previous year. The cold winter during 2014 mid-year added to the foundation of a generous crop development and resulted in a rewarding offering at harvest time.
Vinification details
Grapes were harvested at optimum ripeness and pressed whole bunch to capture added flavour and body. Fermentation was controlled under strict cold temperature parameters to ensure maximum aromatic component retention. Further extended lees contact helped to expand the creamy mouthfeel of this wine.
Awards
IWSC 2016: Silver
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss
This is bright and fruity with a delicate freshness and light tropical-fruit character such as papaya and mango, with undertone of saltiness. Delicious finish.
James Suckling
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.
69% Riesling, 24% Viognier, 4% Chardonnay and 3% Chenin Blanc. The Riesling component is dominant with a notably fragrant nose, ample body and luscious finish – best described as a kaleidoscope of flavours with a solid Chardonnay structure. Bright fruits and repeated flavours of pear, plum, apricot, custard apple and cape gooseberry are in play on the palate.
Technical analysis
ALCOHOL
13.3 %
RESIDUAL SUGAR
3.4 g/L
pH
3.38
ACIDITY
5.1 g/L
ORIGIN
South Africa
WINEMAKER
Peter Finlayson
VARIETY
White Blend
HARVEST DATE
February 2014
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION
No
CLOSURE
Cork
BOTTLE SIZE
75cl
REGION
Cape South Coast
Vintage conditions
Vintage 2014 commenced on the 12th of February, much later than normal, after a long and possibly the wettest summer on record with 610mm of rainfall recorded from October to March.
Vinification details
Components were fermented separately and matured for a minimum of five months on gross lees in stainless steel tanks, prior to blending and preparation for bottling. Malolactic fermentation was suppressed to retain freshness and vibrancy.
Awards
JamesSuckling.com: 91 pts
Green credentials
A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Conservation Champion and accredited Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) estate.
Contact us to discuss