• Pinot Noir from 1993 - 2009
• Hannibal from 2001 - 2007
• Chardonnay from 1992 - 2009
• Sauvignon Blanc from 1991 - 2010
• Blanc de Mer from 1991 - 2010


A few of the older Bouchard Finlayson vintages are still available in small quantities. Please contact the winery if you wish to enquire about these older wines.

Tasting notes for these and other older vintages are listed by variety and in date order hereunder.

This gives an historical almanac of the wines made by Peter Finlayson since the winery was built.

Those wines that have sold out, or are no longer available are listed here for reference by collectors, merchants, private cellars or those lucky enough to have stored away a few bottles.

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• PINOT NOIR from 1993 - 2009

In the early days of Bouchard Finlayson, before the vineyards were bearing a profitable amount of grapes, Pinot noir had to be sourced from a vineyard called Oak Valley, located in the wine ward of Elgin. (The wine ward of Elgin, together with the wine ward of Walker Bay - where Bouchard Finlayson and the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley are located - form part of the Overberg District). By law, we have to indicate the origin of the grapes on the label. For example, wine made from grapes grown in Elgin would be classified as “Wine of Origin Elgin” while wine made from grapes grown in Walker Bay would be classified as “Wine of Origin Walker Bay”. If the wine is made from grapes grown in both wards, the wine will be classified as “Wine of Origin Overberg” i.e. the name of the district which includes the two wine wards.

The name “Galpin Peak Pinot Noir” was adopted and used for the first time on the label in 1995. As from vintage 1996, only domain Pinot noir has been used. The Tête de Cuvée Pinot noir label was introduced with vintage 1996, but this wine was never officially released.


1993 Walker Bay Pinot noir

From six thousand vines in their 3rd leaf, a small crop of three & a half tons of grapes was achieved. This presents roughly half a kilogram per vine. This fruit is all from genuine red Burgundy clone selection, which have been closely planted in orthodox Burgundian style.

Harvesting took place between 1 & 9 February, with excellent fruit condition received at the winery. This fruit represented the first red wine to be made from grapes planted in December 1990 on the domain vineyard.

Dark & rich, serving up full-bodied vibrant Pinot noir flavours with excellent young, tight, but soft tannins. Wooding was 40% Vosges oak as first fill, with the balance second fill Nevers. No racking, and total wood exposure was nine months.


1994 Overberg Pinot noir

A marvellous vintage from excellent grapes and every bunch collected in pristine condition. The crop was particularly early, the result chiefly of a freakish warm July during the previous winter. The crop was also potentially heavy but pre-emptive bunch dropping reduced the crop to a sensible volume. Only 8% of the Pinot is not from Walker Bay, i.e. the wine is comprised of 92% Pinot noir from Walker Bay, and 8% from Elgin.

70% of the wine was oak matured with the balance retained in tank in order to capture fruit and berry character. Malolactic fermentation was late, which further enhanced the freshness of this product.

Densely coloured with powerful plum and blackberry flavours that linger on the finish. Complex with graceful tannins and loads of ageing potential – cellar into the next century.

Selected for South African Airways (SAA) First Class.


1995 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

A relatively dry growing season with no complications. The crop was healthy and sound, ripening early but not detracting from excellent fruit picked at ideal maturity.

The crop was contained to a mere single bottle of wine per vine. This low cropping level is purposefully created through a process which in France is called “vendage vert” literally meaning green harvest.

The grape acidity was lower than in the 1994 year while the alcohol level remains much the same. Harvest commenced 24th January and ended 10 February.

Fruits of the forest flavours with pleasing aromas followed by a ripple action of soft tannins harmonising into delicious promise of classic palate pleasing tastes.

“Peter Finlayson makes much more authentic Burgundian wines than most South Africans and every vintage seems to be better than the next.” Jancis Robinson MW, UK Financial Times, 7 December 1997.

"One of South Africa's few successful efforts at competing with red Burgundy: the raspberryish 1995 Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot noir, produced in some of the world's most southerly vineyards." Robert Joseph, Sunday Telegraph (January 1999)


1995 Oak Valley Pinot noir

Grapes sourced from Oak Valley Estate in the cool mountain area of Elgin. Growing conditions were near perfect with an exceptionally good summer, allowing for unusually early ripening in this cool viticultural region.

Only 84 cases produced, of which 70 cartons were reserved for the CIWG. 100% matured in small French oak for 2 years.

Joyously perfumed with a soft velvety palate. Flowery tones and smooth raspberry flavours.


1996 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

A nervous growing season with a record rainfall two months prior to harvest. During the final days of ripening, the vineyards were blessed with near perfect weather.

Once again a low yield was achieved after practising the traditional “vendage vert”. Some bunches also showed a small percentage of “noble rot” (Botrytis) which, in this instance, had a positive contribution to the wine.

The maturity of the fruit was excellent and notable colour and extract was achieved at the crush. Harvest commenced 31st January and ended 7th February.

Dark, ripe and generous with spice and smoke flavours of cherry and black currant fruits. Structure is focussed and full-bodied with a lingering aftertaste. Will mature well. Look at five to ten years of cellaring.

Selected for British Airways First Class (the only South African red wine ever to achieve this position)

"Probably the finest Pinot ever made in South Africa... the 1996 vintage was a problematic one, but this wine demonstrates the victory of a committed winemaker over weather" Neil Pendock, Financial Times (R.S.A.) (November 1999).


1997 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

It was always in the balance whether the 1997 was going to match the wonderful success of the 1996 vintage. No one was disappointed! The late ripening after a long cool summer presented another marvellous vintage of domain produced Pinot noir.

The yield was low with excellent grapes and a total absence of rot. Harvesting commenced on 17th and ended on 27th February – three weeks later than usual.

Great scarlet colour with fresh berry fruit reflections. Flavours are lingering, harmonious and layered with raspberry, cassis and gentle tannins. The finish is thrillingly protracted.

Maturation took place in all Burgundian barrels with 25% new wood complement striking a fine balance with the rich fruit in the wine.

"*****...the closest you'll get to the Côte d'Or (Burgundy) south of Lyons." John Platter's South African Wine Guide 1999.

Top rated Pinot Noir, Dave Swinger & Allan Mullins: One Hundred Wines 1999

Selected for SAA First Class

"The wine was startlingly Burgundian in style. The velvety texture offered up beautifully balanced raspberry, beet and lead pencil flavours." Wine Tidings (November 1999) - Editor's notebook.


1997 Tête de Cuvée Pinot noir

The 1997 vintage proved to be a blue ribbon event at Bouchard Finlayson. It was a relatively late vintage after a cool summer, which produced wine of great colour with excellent fruit and plum berry character. The winemaker realised that this was the ideal vintage to make a Tête de Cuvée - the blend of the most promising and inspiring top eight barrels from cellar.

This event is intended to take place only in years where a superb vintage has been produced.

Burgundy Pinot noir Trophy winner – International WINE Challenge 2000

“It's silky smooth but with great tannic presence, a lovely Moorish mouthful of bitter cherry and damson fruit laced with violet and rounded off with cedar and tar - complex, alluring and without doubt one of the best wines I've tasted in a long time and certainly one of the best from South Africa”, Chris Orr, WINE (U.K.) (March 2000).

"And it doesn't get much better than Bouchard Finlayson's Tête de Cuvée..." Fiona Sims, Caterer and Hotelkeeper (March 2000).


1998 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

Harvesting started early (23rd-29th January) and all the grapes reached the cellar within seven days. The fruit was firm and healthy which meant swift deliveries of excellent grapes to the cellar.

Attractive optimally ripe fruit with cherry and oak scents. These combine to give great definition. It is firm and has a nicely balanced middleweight with tight aromatic tannins, which point to a need for maturation before gaining its best potential.

Maturation took place in all Burgundian barrels with 25% new wood complement striking a fine balance with the rich fruit in the wine.

"Kaaimansgat 1998 and Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 1998 are the unsurpassed highlights of the vintage from South Africa" Thomas Clancy, The Sunday Business Post: Ireland (May 2000)
"The Galpin Peak 1998 has a rich, high sweet cherry note on the front of the palate, which gives way to a wash of tight firm tannins over the medium length finish. It is delicate and very youthful, with all the hallmarks of great maturation potential" Thomas Clancy, The Sunday Business Post: Ireland (May 2000)


1999 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

The 1999 vintage was preceded by relatively high rainfall (December 1998, 130 mm), which proved to be the catalyst for a measure of “bunch rot” in the Pinot harvest. Pickers were required to carefully remove those parts of the fruit, which were unsuitable for quality wine – which meant that harvesting was a very slow process. While the mere mention of rot instils fear in growers it does also have the potential to greatly enhance wine character. The joyous tannin structure in this wine can certainly be attributed to the vagaries of the harvest, which in this instance proved to be most positive.

The nose is aromatically scented with exciting whiffs of strawberries and truffles. Harmonious tannins dance behind fruits of the forest, which linger on the palate. A true celebration of Pinot crafting! Enjoy now through 2008.

SAA first class Wine of the Month.

Gold Medal - Juliet Cullinan Wine Competition.


1999 Tête de Cuvée Pinot noir

The 1999 vintage is the second release of Tête de Cuvée. Once again, this is a small bottling from eight barrels. These barrels were individually selected to provide the winemaker with the best possible wine from the cellar during this vintage. It is by comparison to the 1997 Tête de Cuvée a finer wine with classic subtlety, reflecting an aristocratic structure. With loads of body it is a wine to age, which will eventually develop and display its excellent fruit and berry character. Suggested ageing is five to twenty years.


2000 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

While 1999 was a harvest veiled in high rainfall and bunch rot, the millennium vintage suffered the rigours of a very hot summer. To ensure that we understood that we did not have any say in the weather, some greater power also prodded us with a severe hailstorm on 21st December, damaging the bunches and the leaves of the Pinot noir. In spite of all this abuse from the weather gods, the end product is extremely pleasing. As a producer the real difficulty with this vintage is the low yield and consequently the small production - but alas, such is farming!

Silver Medal - Juliet Cullinan Wine Competitiion


2001 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

While 1999 was a harvest railed in high rainfall and bunch rot, and vintage 2000 suffered from heat and damage by hail, the vintage 2001 was finally an occasion when the weather gods had empathy with the farmers. A great summer with soft dry weather and excellent high quality fruit.

Winner of the Classic Wine Trophy 2002

Gold Medal – Juliet Cullinan Wine Competition


2001 Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot noir

"The multitude of layers of flavour one finds in Pinot noir, make it wonderfully food flexible. Enjoy with a wide range of fish, poultry, pork and red meat dishes. Great with a selection of cheese and rich berry fruit! Choose the company carefully; each bottle is limited to only 750ml! Suggested ageing is five to twenty years. 12 barrels were selected, only 300 cases produced.

Gold Medal at the International WINE Challenge 2003
Gold Medal at Juliet Cullinan Wine Competition
Silver Medal at Fairbairn Capital Trophy Wine Show 2003
Awarded 5 stars in the 2004 John Platter Wine Guide


2002 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

"Vintage 2002 has produced one of the most complex Pinot noirs to date. Is this the result of a high rainfall in January prior to harvest? One effect of wet weather is a reduction in crop; it also questionably ameliorates the flavour profile of the wine. This is undoubtedly the thumbprint of this vintage! Profound, rich and multi dimensional. Fruity cassis nose, great colour, good grip with a full-ish body and good tannins leading to an elegant but longish finish.

Chosen as the best out of 12 SA wines at a Wine-of-the-Month-Club tasting in October 2004
Rated 4th out of 29 wines in the 2004 Finnish Wine of the Year Competition
Rated 89/100 by Wine Spectator Magazine in USA, 2005"


2003 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

“Right from the onset the 2003 vintage looked promising. Weather conditions had been relatively cool. The excessive early crop, characteristic of this vintage, was managed by implementing a crop reduction action known as green harvesting from mid December. Remaining grapes were healthy - early analysis of the fruit pointed to good sugar versus acid ratios. The picking team and the cellar team were ready and eager…

Pinot noir grapes were the first to be harvested, 3rd – 7th February. The total crop was marginally more than our excellent crop of 2001.

This 2003 bottling is more reminiscent of the highly regarded 2001 vintage. The 2003 vintage produced rich fruity wines – it was a dry summer allowing for ripening under ideal conditions. At first I thought the Pinots from this vintage would be too gentle but this has proved not to be the case.

The nose is aromatically scented with exciting whiffs of truffles and fruits of the forest. The wine is full with soft tannins, which ensure many years of positive development. An excellent crop and a excellent wine! I look forward to following its progress.


2004 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

The heavy clay soils of the lower Hemel-en-Aarde Valley are said to be the reason for this area’s ability to repeatedly offer vintages of premium quality Pinot Noir wines. Clay soils contribute through their moisture support as well as through their complex soil chemistry. Add to this Hermanus’s soft summer weather conditions, then the result is a happy combination for a particularly fussy grape.
 
Vintage 2004 is perhaps the most full bodied and robust Pinot Noir vintage to date. It was a vintage which ripened up very rapidly and presented a challenge to winemaking skills.
 
Rich and dark in colour with silky tannins. This wine has depth and concentration. Organic whiffs on the nose, tasting of subtle cherries, raspberries and oak. The wine will mature and develop.


2005 Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot noir
 
Pinot noir arguably plays its biggest role in the arena of winemaking by way of its role as the major component of French Champagne.  Fine red wines made from Pinot noir have their respect from selective sites on the Hills of Gold in Burgundy, France.  Here in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus the Pinot noir grape has enjoyed consistent success which offers undeniable support for the claim that this valley is Africa’s benchmark location for this fine grape variety.  To build on these ideal conditions I have taken advantage of this opportunity to make a special blend by utilizing the best barrels in the cellar for a smaller unique bottling!  These limited release bottlings are called Tête de Cuvée.
 
The 2005 vintage was an excellent summer which presented cool conditions and allowed for ideal Pinot noir ripening.  The Pinots from this vintage have proved to offer fantastic fruit driven wines.  This is the sixth Tête de Cuvée release since 1997 and follows in the tradition of blending a handful of the best barrels to carry this title.  In this case it is twelve barrels!
 
Appealing on the nose with whiffs of Raspberry, cherry and oaky plum.  Rich, long on the palate with full bodied firm harmonious structure ending in layers of velvety tannins which act as a guarantee for many years of positive development.
 
Pinot noir is the most food flexible varietal.  Its richness comes from a multitude of layers of flavour. Enjoy with fish, poultry, game and red meat dishes!


2005 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

Vintage 2005 echoes a strong resonance with Burgundy vintage 2002. This was a vintage of great wines. Both white and red! The Galpin Peak is described as tantalizingly attractive. Early tasting reflects confirmation of this vintage being on a par with the great 1997 and 2001 vintages.
 
The harvest was swift and neat – all complete in eight days. A constant 24 degrees Balling of ripeness was achieved through all parts of the Pinot vineyard. Great natural fruit acid levels and secure clean grapes!
 
Perhaps the keenest characteristic of this wine is its delicious harmony of sweet raspberry fruit and soft balanced perfumed tannins. There is also a delightful lingering long finish on the wine. A great future is expected, will mature to greater heights!


2006 Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot noir

Pinot noir is said to be the most Terroir driven wine variety of all. It is tempting to say that this is why it is ever elusive to new growers and also why growers are shy to confront it per sé.

All our Galpin Peak Pinot noir is produced here at the Domain where experience has shown that the quality of the wine is directly proportional to the clay content of individual vineyard sites.

To build on these ideal conditions I have taken advantage of this opportunity to make a special blend by utilizing the best barrels in the cellar for a smaller unique bottling!  These limited release bottlings are called Tête de Cuvée. In this instance 15 barrels were used.

Vintage 2006 has followed admirably after the most successful 2005. Excellent quality grapes picked over a ten day period. Great natural acidities and rewarding grape sugars brought a smile to the team.

Deftly balanced, rich, dark-coloured with rich plum and pretty floral, fruity aromatics. Luscious tannins which call one back into the glass - very appealing on the polished after taste!

Pinot noir is the most food flexible varietal.  Its richness comes from a multitude of layers of flavour. Enjoy with fish, poultry, game and red meat dishes!


2006 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

Pinot noir is said to be the most Terroir driven wine variety of all. It is tempting to say that this is why it is ever elusive to new growers and also why growers are shy to confront it per sé.
 
All our Galpin Peak Pinot noir is produced here at the Domain where experience has shown that the quality of the wine is directly proportional to the clay content of individual vineyard sites.
 
Vintage 2006 has followed admirably after the most successful 2005. Excellent quality grapes picked over a ten day period. Great natural acidities and rewarding grape sugars brought a smile to the team.
 
Deftly balanced, rich, dark-coloured with rich plum and pretty floral, fruity aromatics. Luscious tannins which call one back into the glass – very appealing on the polished after taste!


2007 Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot noir

It is said that Pinot Noir has no individual varietal character of its own but, is rather characterized by the soil on which it grows. Essentially it is the most terroir specific varietal of all. Our Tête de Cuvée label signifies my creative opportunity to select a handful of the finest barrels in the cellar and blend these to acquire a wine which will portray the best of the vintage. This only happens in years of outstanding overall quality.
 
Vintage 2007 presented a small crop of first class grapes. Rich full wines emerged with excellent early drinking expression. This blend of only twelve barrels is opulent and full of red cherry & blackberry fruit with also a hint of plum and underlying vanilla, all combining to provide an orchestra of flavour. Great architecture with excellent structural balance of acidity and fine tannins. It will age for 10 years plus…!


2007 Galpin Peak Pinot noir
 
A great vintage with loads of flavour, excellent body and a host of lingering expectations.  This is now the fifteenth vintage of domaine grapes where credibility has not been compromised.  Our vineyard strategy of high density, close plantings reflects positively on our founding philosophy in search of better wines.
 
Recently I noted a comment where it was stated that Pinot noir is the most terroir driven grape of all.  It is even claimed that it has no personal flavour description other than that which its immediate terroir can imprint on the wine.  A characteristic which makes this section of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley so unique.
 
The 2007 vintage was really early with most of the crop being taken in before end January.  The weeks picking was intense with great summer weather making life tough on the grape pickers but fortunately no quality distraction was experienced – in fact the dry conditions have most definitely ameliorated this wine.
 
Firm but deliciously elegant.  Fragrant rich with exuberant fruit and long lasting palate profile.  Early drinking but will mature well.


2008 Galpin Peak Pinot noir

The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley has consistently offered world class quality Pinot Noir wines. A result of an ideal combination of soil and climate – a situation which is repeated year after year.
 
It is claimed that Pinot Noir has no definite varietal characteristic of its own.

Its flavour & character are dictated by the soil in which it is grown. Most vintages are preceded by an enthusiastically awaited dry weather build-up to actual harvest.

In fact the 2007 vintage experienced hot & very dry pre-conditions. But 2008 vintage was very different, it was a wet season, the soils were never dry & grapes ripened under non-stress conditions.

This is no doubt one of the fruitiest presentations of Galpin Peak in many years. It has an appealing fresh fruit structure with accentuated length and elegance on the palate. Fully dry, but soft & gentle with a touch of crispness. Flavours of cherry, blackberry & violets followed by an earthy spicyness. It is in harmony with its expectations and does not disappoint in its rich candid finish!

Expect increased elegance and softness with aging.


2009 Galpin Peak Pinot Noir

The question arises. Does great Pinot noir at Bouchard Finlayson surface in cycles of your years? Our celebrity vintages have been 1997, 2001 and 2005 and now it appears 2009, but neatly stepping inside this magic cycle was our iconic 2007 vintage.

2009 shows all the attributes of distinguishing itself as another player within these four year cycles! Bouchard Finlayson Pinot noirs are clearly terroir driven by the knowing impact of our heavy Malmesbury Shale soils, which impart firm structure and robust flavour statements in each vintage. This flavour quality is further enhanced by our practice of implementing high- density closely planted vines to encourage competition between individual vines!

This bottling is rich with luscious soft tannins and dark-coloured forest fruits, deftly balanced on a cord of lingering plum and raspberry delights. Expected to age with appealing composure.

Bouchard Finlayson was awarded the Trophy for the Wine of the Year in this year for our Galpin Peak Pinot noir, scoring 97,5 % in the newly launched web based South African Supérieur Wine Rating Index (SASWRI) – a non-vintage rating.