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Gusbourne, Brut Reserve 2016
Tasting Notes: Deep gold, dark and rich, with a delicate mousse and persistent perfume of honeyed green apples with hints of lemon, white peach and toasted nuts. The palate is fruit driven, with red apples, poached pears and bright red berry fruit. It displays subtle flavours of peach and developed toasty notes of freshly baked bread, roasted nuts and apple pie before
a long, elegant and rounded finish.
Origin: Kent
Grape: 40% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Meunier, 27% Pinot Noir
ABV: 12%
Producer Profile
The original Gusbourne Estate in Appledore, Kent dates back to 1410. The de Goosebourne family crest was made up of three geese and can be found in our local parish church in Appledore - nowadays, each and every bottle of wine crafted at Gusbourne carries a contemporary goose crest in honour of our heritage. This ‘Goosemark’ is a symbol of trust, representing our pursuit of uncompromising quality. In 2004, Andrew Weeber took over the estate with 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. The first vines were planted that year. Gusbourne quickly earned a reputation as a producer of outstanding quality wines, with accolades from some of the industry’s most exacting critics. A combination of the best age-old traditions with modern technology and cutting-edge equipment allows us to sit comfortably between old and new world winemaking, while at the same time bringing our own exacting quality standards to the process. Respect for the vineyards, the fruit and the natural elements involved in winemaking means that our approach favours minimal intervention.
Grape Profile
Champagne, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are the three classic grape varietals used to make Champagne, and traditional method sparkling wines around the world. Each of the "Champagne varietals" add their unique features to the final blend. Chardonnay adds acidity and structure, Pinot Noir adds elegance, perfume and body, and Pinot Meunier adds richness and fruit to the blend. English sparkling wine is primarily made from Champagne varietals as they are perfectly suited to the cool climate and chalky soils found in England.
Region Profile
Gusbourne vineyards are located on a South
facing ancient escarpment in Appledore, Kent and near Goodwood in West Sussex. Soil is largely clay, with
subsoils including sand and seashells in Kent, and predominantly chalk soils with flint loam in the South Downs in West Sussex. The microclimate is warm and dry, with moderating coastal breezes due to our close proximity to the English Channel.
Viticulture
A mild spring resulted in a mid-April bud burst.
The weather during flowering was warm and dry resulting in abundant fruit being set. Veraison occurred in early August as usual, enabling the grapes to develop intense flavour and concentration potential. Harvest began in early October and resulted in fruit of exceptional quality. Pruning Method:
Single or double guyot. Dependent upon each individual block.
Harvest Period:
October.
Harvest Method:
Hand picked.
Vinification
Processing:
Whole bunch pressed and naturally settled for 24-36 hours.
Fermentation:
10 days at 18 - 20 degrees C using specialist sparkling wine yeast. Fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks with
a small percentage fermented in old oak barrels for complexity.
Bottling Date:
25th April 2017.
Malolactic:
100%
Lees Ageing:
Minimum 36 months.
