Chapel Down, Kit's Coty Bacchus, Kent, England, 2016

This new release is the sixth single varietal Bacchus from Chapel Down. In this case it's from the 38.5ha Kit’s Coty vineyard in the North Downs in Kent, to the south of steep, chalk hills that shelter it from the cool northerly winds. The grapes are handpicked and whole-bunch pressed before being fermented with wild yeasts in old French oak, spending nine months maturing. The result is a lovely wine which has good typicity but also pushes forward what the varietal is capable of achieving. The nose is fairly subtle, but in the mouth it explodes with a salty, blackberry leaf and gooseberry attack. A large dose of limey acidity floods in down the sides of your tongue, bringing with it a wave of tangy grapefruit, fresh herb and some peachy lift, leading onto a flinty, saline finish. It has a good texture - the oak has certainly aided it here. A great alternative to village Chablis or Sauvignon from the Loire, and perfect with a tomato and goat cheese salad.