Owner Mark is a huge believer in the power of Pinot Noir-led sparklings, grown on the pure chalk of the Rathfinny farm. So their Classic Cuvée is Pinot Noir-led, and spends 36 months on the lees. Rathfinny only produce vintage wines, and the 2017 is crisp and fruit forward, with just 5g/l of dosage, and a long, chalky, delicious finish.
When Mark and Sarah Driver founded Rathfinny in 2010, they were determined to release a high-quality English sparkling wine at an accessible price point. This was the ambition behind the Classic Cuvée, which at just under £30 is cheaper than many comparable wines in the category. It's a vintage wine – all the Rathfinny wines are – here 2017, a late-ripening year. The blend is 65% Pinot Noir, 18% Chardonnay, 17% Pinot Meunier, and in the glass you'll see a very faint hint of rose gold from skin contact during pressing. This is all about purity of fruit, with notes of red berries and red apple, almost autumnal, but fresh and elegant at the same time. It's a rounded and gentle wine that would be a great partner for fish and chips.
Maturity Ready 2023 - 2033
Prices shown in bond
Maturity Ready 2023 - 2032
Critic score 92/100
Maturity Ready 2023 - 2035
Sign up to our newsletter and enjoy a 5% discount on your first purchase.
By submitting your details, you’re agreeing for us to send you information about offers and the latest updates from Lay & Wheeler by email. We’ll always treat your personal details with care and will never sell them to other companies for marketing purposes. Please visit our privacy policy page for more information.
We use cookies to deliver a better experience for you on our site. By continuing you agree to our use of cookies.
