THE HARVEST AND WINEMAKING

Finale is part of our reserve series and is only made in exceptional years, being dependent on specific conditions at the end of the season leading to noble rot. Modelled on a French Sauternes using traditional Bordeaux techniques, the wine is a Semillon/Sauvignon blend. Only the most beautifully raisined, perfectly botrytic bunches were selected to make this wine. A small amount of very concentrated juice was then obtained from these grapes and put into new French artisan oak barriques (50% new), where the two varieties were left to ferment separately. The wine was then matured in these barriques on its natural deposits of yeast lees (sur lie) for 12 months, prior to blending and bottling. This is a lesser amount of new oak and shorter ageing period than previous Finale’s, the intention being to accentuate the wine’s vitality and finesse.

THE WINE

On release it is bright gold in colour, the bouquet an enchanting medley of ripe apricot, ginger and lemon curd, with a hint of honeysuckle and a whisp of baking spice. Botrytis has resulted in a mouth feel that is rich, textural and unctuous. The Semillon contributes structure and length, while the Sauvignon component adds refreshing acidity to ensure the wine remains perfectly balanced with a lasting finish.