Flint Vineyard Bacchus Fumé 2024

Flint’s Bacchus Fumé has consistently been one of the England’s most celebrated examples of Bacchus. Since 2023, Flint have only produced a fumé style, employing delicate oak ageing to produce a vibrant and complex wine. Ripe pear, English apple, violets, and Turkish delight on the nose. The palate is soft yet structured, with pink grapefruit, almonds, and biscuit pastry, balanced by fresh acidity and gentle oak influence. The grapes were picked from a number of parcels across East Anglia, including Flint’s own, to obtain maximum complexity of flavour. Each parcel of fruit was fermented separately, respecting its individual characteristics. In 2024, 60 % of the grapes were crushed / de-stemmed before pressing, resulting in a more lifted floral and tropical character. 40 % was whole bunch pressed to retain acidity and add focus to the wine. Fermentation took place in neutral barrels (5 to 7 years old), concrete tanks and traditional oak foudre. Fermentation was generally cool (c. 12 C) and not rushed. Some wine was left on lees in barrel, some racked when dry. Six month’s ageing in concrete or wood, no malolactic fermentation then filtration and bottling.

Based in the sunny and sheltered Waveney Valley in South Norfolk, overlooking the villages of Earsham and Bungay, Flint Vineyard’s winemaker Ben Witchell crafts wines using a blend of innovation and a respect for tradition. The vineyard site was selected as one of the driest and sunniest regions in England and the south-east facing vines are planted on free-draining gravel and flint soil.