Gusbourne Fifty One Degrees North 2016

Gusbourne’s prestige sparkling wine is crafted only from exceptional vintages.  Revealing its complexity over time in the glass from classic citrus notes to stone fruit, green apple and orchard fruit, this sublime wine is intense, rich and structured.

Gusbourne Chief Winemaker Charlie Holland commented: “The 2016 vintage has much in common with 2014. The fruit had the same intensity, complexity and length, with distinct mineral and maritime notes. It’s a little toastier in style.” In the winery, Charlie amplified this toasty, brioche profile with judicious use of oak.

The wine’s blend is two-thirds Chardonnay – lending silkiness, roundness and weight – and one-third Pinot Noir -imparting elegance, poise, freshness and structure. Fifty One Degrees North 2016 spent over 67 months on lees, allowing it to gently gain in depth and complexity.

The 2016 vintage was a year of near-perfect growing conditions. The mild spring saw a mid-April bud burst. Flowering, which began towards the end of June, was successful and the warm, dry weather resulted in abundant fruit being set. Gusbourne’s Vineyard Manager, Jon Pollard, carefully regulated the crop, dropping fruit where required to help boost the grapes’ concentration and flavours. By harvest time on 2nd October, the fruit was ripe and exceptionally well balanced.

Gusbourne has 60 hectares at Gusbourne Estate in Kent and 30 hectares in West Sussex that are planted with the 3 classic varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The distinct terroir and exceptionally mild microclimates of the surroundings add their own depth and complexity to the wines, and Gusbourne aims to allow the combination of site, soil and hard work in the vines to reflect in every bottle.