WINE REVIEW
I still remember my first taste of Rathfinny Blanc de Noirs: a pre-release tasting of the inaugural 2015 vintage at the vineyard on a sunny day in June 2018. Rathfinny have always favoured a style that tilts towards the leaner expression (low dosage, less time on lees than some producers go for – yet enough to round the wine off nicely). The Blanc de Noirs wowed with its depth and piquant red berry and ginger biscuit complexities.
This Blanc de Noirs 2020 is their latest release and the fifth vintage to date. It’s a celebration of a warm ripe vintage and a blend of 86% Pinot Noir and 14% Pinot Meunier. The estate’s house style of low-dosage continues with 3g/l .
On the nose an evocative fusion of red apple, cherry and plum leaps out of the glass, with hints of honey pastry and citrus fruits.
The palate has an immediate energy and is bursting with zippy acidity that gives way to a generous fruit-forward richness. It’s clearly a Blanc de Noirs in flavour profile, with ripe red fruit and yellow plum flavours. Overall, a delightful balance between fruit ripeness and racy freshness.
