Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs 2016

Rathfinny Blanc de Blancs 2016 is pale honeysuckle in colour, with a sumptuous nose of lemon curd over buttered croissant, delicate bubbles accented by fresh grapefruit on the palate, and a generous peachy finish.

This delicate Chardonnay-based sparkling pairs as seamlessly with the purity of ultrafresh crab and abalone dishes, as it does with the showstopping richness of a twice-baked cheese soufflé.

Bud burst was timely, though it was very wet prior to flowering which, as a result, was slightly later than usual. However, we had a successful fruit set, despite July and the early part of August coming in cooler than normal. The second half of August brightened up with some very warm days, with this dry weather continuing throughout September until the end of the season. We picked in the latter part of October.

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“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

“This is all about precision. It’s concentrated and intense with linear citrus fruit and keen but well integrated acidity. There’s a subtle saline minerality here with amazing purity. There are some subtle notes of pear and apple. This is chiseled and focused, but not austere. High in acid, but in balance. Really impressive: one of England’s finest, and still so early on in the life of the vineyard.” Jamie Goode, Wine Anorak

“The nose takes a while to open up but remains subtle. A touch of oyster shell, it almost has a notion of blossom honey about it. It is in the palate that the true measure is revealed with a slender but resonant depth that owes much to inherent balance. A lovely central vein of lemony brightness set against a backdrop of chalky smoothness underlines both briskness and depth. I’d hang onto this for a little while longer to let that undoubted depth become more apparent. The candied lemon finish gives a glimpse of riches to come. ” Anne Krebiehl, The Buyer