Gusbourne Blanc de Noirs Kent 2019

Description

In 2004, when founder Andrew Weeber planted the first vines on Gusbourne Estate’s coastal escarpment in Kent, in the far South Eastern corner of England, he had a clear vision and a single goal: to create English Sparkling Wines that would stand up alongside the very finest offerings from across the globe.  

Focusing on just the classic grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, Gusbourne grow all grapes used in their winemaking in their own vineyards which are blessed with a very special terroir: Wealden clay-loam soils combined with an exceptionally warm and dry maritime climate enables Gusbourne to be the first to harvest in England, whilst their proximity to the sea provides a distinctive salty tang to the wines. 

Vines are tended with great care and attention to the environment, using only organic fertilisers, and over half of the vines planted are Burgundian (rather than Champagne) clones. This means that they produce lower yields (brought lower still by green harvests every year), but the resultant fruit is riper and has significantly more flavour.

Displaying great finesse in the glass, Gusbourne's Blanc de Noirs is expressive on the nose with fine-tuned notes of dried candied fruits and violet flower. It is characteristically deep and complex, rich and powerful. It is a wine that holds your attention with serious appeal. Crunchy, crisp cox apple, fresh cherry and raspberry, taut, pure and clean citrus acidity all combining with great precision. Juicy fleshiness coats the mouth with silky texture. There is real intensity and weight here on the palate, a classic savoury hint, and the balance is such that it remains delicate and neat on the refreshing and long, persistent finish.