2018 Rathfinny, Classic Cuvee , 6x750ml
Rathfinny’s Classic Cuvée displays vivid aromas of grapefruit, red apple and brioche on the nose. The palate has real focus with zesty acidity tempered by the wine’s creamy texture and rich, biscuity notes, leading to a refreshing and moreish finish.
Availability: In stock
Case size: 6 / Bottle size: 750ml
Duty Status
From £103.00
Critics Score: 92
Publication: Decanter
When Mark and Sarah Driver founded Rathfinny in 2010, they were determined to release a high-quality English sparkling wine at an accessible price point. This was the ambition behind the Classic Cuvée, which at just under £30 is cheaper than many comparable wines in the category. It's a vintage wine – all the Rathfinny wines are – here 2017, a late-ripening year. The blend is 65% Pinot Noir, 18% Chardonnay, 17% Pinot Meunier, and in the glass you'll see a very faint hint of rose gold from skin contact during pressing. This is all about purity of fruit, with notes of red berries and red apple, almost autumnal, but fresh and elegant at the same time. It's a rounded and gentle wine that would be a great partner for fish and chips.
2017 Rathfinny, Classic Cuvee , 6x750ml
50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier
Producer:
This family-owned estate was established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, with the first vineyards being planted in April 2012. Rathfinny’s estate vineyard now extends to over 93 hectares in the South Downs, just three miles from the Channel. Lying on a south-facing slope, their estate vineyard is predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier as well as small plantings of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The site benefits from a semi-continental maritime climate and free-draining chalk soils, providing the ideal conditions to ripen grapes. Rathfinny uses only estate-grown fruit for their four traditional-method sparkling wines: Classic Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé, as well as their still white wine. Each of their wines is produced and labelled as a vintage wine.
Vineyards:
The estate vineyard is protected from the worst of the prevailing south westerly winds by a natural ridge that runs along the southern edge of the Estate. Sustainability and stewardship of the land are at the heart of Rathfinny’s philosophy. The team have worked closely with Natural England and the South Downs National Park, to implement a programme which enhances local wildlife habitats and reclaims areas of natural chalk grassland. Rathfinny’s focus on the environment, and commitment to sustainability and soil health, ensure excellent quality fruit.
Vinification:
The grapes were hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and vinified with as little intervention as possible, to preserve the purest expression of vintage and place. The base wine was fermented in stainless steel at 16°C, followed by malolactic fermentation. After bottling, the wine was aged 36 months on lees to develop autolytic complexity.
Vintage:
Often referred to as the vintage of the decade, 2018 was one of the warmest summers on record. A mini-heatwave developed from April onwards, bringing on early flowering and the dry weather promoted good fruit set. New temperature records were set in July and August and despite heavy rain in early September, the weather during harvest in October was very favourable and very clean fruit was picked with an ideal balance of sugars and acidity for the Sussex sparkling wines.
50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier
Producer:
This family-owned estate was established in 2010 by Mark and Sarah Driver, with the first vineyards being planted in April 2012. Rathfinny’s estate vineyard now extends to over 93 hectares in the South Downs, just three miles from the Channel. Lying on a south-facing slope, their estate vineyard is predominantly planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier as well as small plantings of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The site benefits from a semi-continental maritime climate and free-draining chalk soils, providing the ideal conditions to ripen grapes. Rathfinny uses only estate-grown fruit for their four traditional-method sparkling wines: Classic Cuvée, Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Rosé, as well as their still white wine. Each of their wines is produced and labelled as a vintage wine.
Vineyards:
The estate vineyard is protected from the worst of the prevailing south westerly winds by a natural ridge that runs along the southern edge of the Estate. Sustainability and stewardship of the land are at the heart of Rathfinny’s philosophy. The team have worked closely with Natural England and the South Downs National Park, to implement a programme which enhances local wildlife habitats and reclaims areas of natural chalk grassland. Rathfinny’s focus on the environment, and commitment to sustainability and soil health, ensure excellent quality fruit.
Vinification:
The grapes were hand harvested, whole bunch pressed and vinified with as little intervention as possible, to preserve the purest expression of vintage and place. The base wine was fermented in stainless steel at 16°C, followed by malolactic fermentation. After bottling, the wine was aged 36 months on lees to develop autolytic complexity.
Vintage:
Often referred to as the vintage of the decade, 2018 was one of the warmest summers on record. A mini-heatwave developed from April onwards, bringing on early flowering and the dry weather promoted good fruit set. New temperature records were set in July and August and despite heavy rain in early September, the weather during harvest in October was very favourable and very clean fruit was picked with an ideal balance of sugars and acidity for the Sussex sparkling wines.
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