Gusbourne - Brut Reserve 2019
Price: $89.99
Sale Price: $71.99
| Producer | Gusbourne |
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| Country | England |
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| Varietal | Champagne Blend |
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| Vintage | 2019 |
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| Sku | 04305 |
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| Size | 750ml |
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Straight up and without question, this latest release from Gusbourne stands toe to toe with some of the greatest names in Champagne. But you don't have to take my word for it. Check out some of the famous names in Champagne that are comparable in Wine Enthusiast.
- Comtes de Dampierre NV Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs - 91 pts WE @ $95
- Besserat de Bellefon NV BB Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru - 91 pts WE @$90
- Deutz 2017 Blanc de Blancs - 92 pts WE @ $85
Aside from the weather, whose impact cannot be minimized but is easily grasped, the "secret" to England's success is the soil. Even the most casual Champagne drinker has heard tell of the regions limestone chalk soil and how important it is for the distinct minerality and flavors of Champagne. The Champenois have been extremely proud and protective of their name, and rightfully so, because they have felt that no other region could lay claim to the resulting style. Till now.
Just look at the picture here of the cliffs dotting the English coast in the regions of Kent and Sussex, where Gusbourne's vineyards are. Yep. Chalk. Loads of it. Look at the map and you can see quite clearly that this is the same vein of limestone that dominates Champagne.
Same soil. Now with the climate Champagne used to have! If there is one bubbly to make a believer out of you, this is the one.
If you've heard enough, you can scroll to the bottom to order. Or hit reply. But for more of my excitement, read on...
Weather and soil are certainly key components to the success of Gusbourne. Another is their obsessive attention to detail. In planting their vineyards over the past 20 years, soil analysis was done on each and every vineyard row. In doing so, the team isolated which clone of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier or Pinot Noir would do best in that specific row. Read that again. Row by row, they picked a specific clone to be planted. Some are from Champagne, others from Burgundy, and each one has certain characteristics that respond to certain types of soil. I stood in front of three rows... not only were they planted to different clones, but they were planted to different grapes! A Chardonnay from Burgundy, one from Champagne, then a Pinot Noir from Burgundy. Insane!
And they continue to experiment. Check out this picture. That little shoot coming from the ground? They are "grooming" that to take over the job that the main trunk when its lifecycle runs out. Rather than ripping out the entire vine, or trying to graft a new vine to the exisitng roots, Gusbourne is attempting to have a new, younger trunk ready to step in. Super experimental. And super cool!
40% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir and 33% Pinot Meunier. 100% Chardonnay. "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." winery note
James Suckling: 91 Points
"Lots of crisp apple and pear aromas with hints of summer berries in the nose. Satisfying interplay of bright fruit, lively mousse and creaminess on the well-balanced palate. Plenty of raspberry and candied-lemon character at the finish. A cuvee of 62% chardonnay, 28% pinot noir and 10% pinot meunier that was aged for over 2 years on the lees in bottle. Drink now."
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All pricing and availability subject to change.
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