2016 RATHFINNY Blanc de Blancs Brut, Lea & Sandeman

RATHFINNY

2016 Blanc de Blancs Brut

Grapes Chardonnay
Colour White
Origin United Kingdom, England
ABV 12.5%

This is a really small production with just 5700 bottles produced. As you'd hope with a Blanc de Blanc this is immediately pert and pretty. High-toned. More citrus than the Classic Cuvée, with a Lemon Sherbert-like zip and juiciness. Some honeysuckle and elderflower notes are floaty and pretty - but there is intensity and a serious feel too, discreetly underlying that fine line of juicy, taut acidity. Finishes bright with a satisfyingly fresh rasp of zip - but there is good feel here. 36 months bottle ageing before release. L&S (May 2020)


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The 2016 Blanc de Blancs is aged for 36 months and undergoes complete malo. Dosage is 4g/L. The intense, refreshingly steely bouquet offers scents of dewy Granny Smith apples and a touch of lime and citrus lemon; impressive definition here, and very focused. The palate does not quite deliver the panache of the aromatics, but it is certainly well defined, featuring citrus lemon, light red cherry notes and a kiss of salinity toward a finish that keeps the Blanc de Blancs on its toes. A nimble English sparkler. Drink now and over the next 7–8 years. Drinking range: 2020 - 2030 Rating: 91 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jul 2020)

One of the biggest new ventures in English wine, Rathfinny is based in a single vineyard in Alfriston in the South Downs. Its wines, including this delicate, lemony, subtly creamy chardonnay, are already among the best fizz on this side of the Channel.David Williams, The Observer (Jun 2020)

Matthew Jukes www.matthewjukes.com (May 2020)

Rathfinny

In 2018, the Sussex estate of Rathfinny launched its first two sparkling wines from an ambitious project started in 2010. Following a successful career in the city, owner Mark Driver and his wife Sarah, set about building from scratch a world-beating wine estate. They have not flinched from this ambition and have patiently waited 8 years to release there first sparklers.

Located on chalk rich soils in a perfect basin near the sea in Sussex's South Downs it is an ideal spot. With a great team put in place and a long-term vision all is auguring well for the realisation of the Drivers' dream.

In 2019 we have seen the second releases and there is a huge amount to admire. Poised, intense and seriously drinkable wines from this very convincing set up.

A superb new edition to our burgeoning selection of English greats and located in the South Downs of Sussex between Brighton and Eastbourne, Rathfinny sets its sights confidently from the start. Right now there are 185 acres of vines but a further 215 acres are to be planted by 2021.

(The photo sequence shows a year in the Rathfinny vineyard.)

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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