Bouchard Finlayson is a boutique wine estate in the Hemel-en-Aarde ("heaven and earth") valley just outside Hermanus in the Western Cape, South Africa. It's both a family affair, and a place of collaboration. A labour of love that sees the marriage of Old World winemaking heritage with New World innovation.
The estate was established in 1989, a groundbreaking partnership between acclaimed Burgundian winemaker Paul Bouchard and trailblazing local winemaker Peter Finlayson.
The estate’s 25 hectares of vineyard were meticulously planned and planted according to time-honoured Burgundian winemaking principles. The vineyard also expresses the valley’s cool maritime climate and unique coastal terroir. A 100-hectare conservancy dedicated to protecting the endemic fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounds the vineyards.
Over more than three decades, Bouchard Finlayson has earned a global reputation for crafting memorable wines that speak to a sense of place. Their founder, Peter Finlayson, is hailed for pioneering the production of world-class Pinot Noir in South African vineyards. Today, under winemaker Chris Albrecht, the Tête de Cuvée and Galpin Peak continue to rank amongst the finest examples produced in the Cape.
Alongside this noble Burgundian cultivar, the cellar is known for its award-winning Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc; the innovative and beguiling Franco-Italian red blend, Hannibal; and a remarkable straw wine produced from cool-climate Riesling.
Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, the estate’s flagship Pinot Noir, is an elegant and accessible red wine. It pays homage to the fynbos-clad slopes of Galpin Peak, which dominates the eastern skyline of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley.
Pinot Noir is renowned as a cultivar that truly expresses its terroir, and the Galpin Peak Pinot Noir is a perfect showcase of the balance and elegance of Pinot Noir from this unique corner of the South African winelands.
Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2022 delivers arresting fragrances of floral and spice aromas. The opulent and rich core underlay vibrant dried cranberry, black cherry and a burst of plum flavours. Umami detail reappears throughout. Well structured, but smooth as silk, displaying freshness and energy for an excellent balance. It has a velvety smooth finish.
It is a wine of substance – generously structured for the long haul. With a polished palate and elegant tannins, it is a wine that will improve in complexity and richness with cellar maturation.
Bouchard Finlayson's Galpin Peak Pinot Noir is available for purchase via our online shop, tastewine.co.za.
This article originally appeared on Cape Tourism, as part of a collaboration with wine.co.za.