Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2018

Luxury good.

At R394 a bottle from the farm, Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2018 from Bouchard Finlayson in Hemel en Aarde Valley is not cheap, costing more than Paul Cluver Estate 2017 at R275 and just about on par with Newton Johnson Family Vineyards of the same vintage.

Galpin Peak is something of a benchmark in the category, the property established in 1989 and own-fruit Pinot dating from 1993, but the 2018 is a little unconvincing. Matured for 11 months in French oak, the nose shows red and black cherries, some rose-like perfume plus oak-derived vanilla and cinnamon. The palate is full and round – the fruit not particularly concentrated, the tannins soft. There eight separate vineyards that contribute to this wine and total production is 18 828 bottles, which is no mean feat but a little more complexity for the asking price would be nice.

CE’s rating: 89/100.

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