Flint Vineyard, Silex Blanc 2023, Earsham, Norfolk

Tasting Note

Silex offers aromas of citrus, apricot, baked pear, gentle cinnamon spice, butter and biscotti; on the plate the wine is dry yet soft, revealing delicate tannins and a textured mouthfeel that reflect its skin-contact fermentation with lingering flavours of toasted almonds, orchard fruit, hazelnut and marmalade.

If you like a white burgundy, this is your bag.

Grapes

39 % Chardonnay, 28 % Pinot Blanc, 17 % Pinot Gris, 16 % Pinot Noir. 

Grapes harvested from Flint Vineyard, Martin's Lane Vineyard (Crouch Valley, Essex), Whitewolfe Vineyard (North Downs, Kent).

The 2023 blend puts Chardonnay at the fore, balancing its elegance alongside the structure of the Pinot varieties.

How to Drink

Try Silex with shellfish, grilled asparagus, roast chicken or a nutty cheese like Comté.

Producer Information

Flint Vineyard is named after the stoney ground upon which it rests. Silex (French for Flint) is their nod towards the plots of vines from which these Pinot dominant varieties were grown in the Waveney Valley, Norfolk. Using Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, these classic grape varieties were previously considered difficult to grow and ripen in the UK’s climate. But modern approaches and knowledge have shown that excellent high quality wines can be made and the Silex has garnered a reputation for being one of these.

Owner and winemaker, Ben Witchell has had a lifelong passion for wine. What started as a desire to learn more about the vinous world quickly spiralled out of control, leading Ben to quit his job in IT and work out how to make wine in 2007. Having since extensively travelled the wine-making world, gained a first-class degree in Oenology and Viticulture at Plumpton College and spent three years in Beaujolais as an assistant winemaker, he is indeed a winemaker, with great respect for both the creative art and the fascinating science of the profession.

With the aim of starting his own winemaking venture in the UK, Ben pinpointed south Norfolk or Suffolk as being potential spots to craft outstanding English wines. With pockets of suitable vineyard soil, and a combination of being the warmest, driest most consistent climate in the country, East Anglia showed great potential. A chance email sent to a local farmer resulted in Ben taking on a plot of vines already planted in the sunny and sheltered Waveney Valley, Norfolk in 2015. Flint Vineyard was born, named after the stony soil on which it is planted.

Since then Flint Vineyard has flourished. There are now over 26,000 vines covering 6 hectares and a state-of-the-art winery allows wine production at the highest level. Flint has gained a solid reputation for producing some of the best premium English still wines. It has also innovated with methods in the winery and products such as the Charmat Rosé, the first sparkling wine to be made using the Charmat method, most commonly used in Prosecco.

Production Information

Silex (French for Flint) Blanc is fermented and aged in neutral Burgundian oak barrels. This is a complex and rich wine, with a delicate perfumed nose and hints of caramelised butter. A great English alternative to white Burgundy. Great with roast chicken, or creamy cheeses.

Whole-bunch, ultra-gently pressed coeur de cuvée juice allows the fermentation to be started without settling. The turbidity of juice that we yield at the press is perfect for encouraging a slow fermentation, which promotes varietal character and complexity.

Fermentation, malolactic fermentation and 12 months ageing with lees stirring (bâtonnage) all happens in 225 L barrels (80 % 3rd-fill / 20 % new). The interaction of yeast and lactic acid bacteria in oak enhance complex flavours and the use of both new and older oak lends a balanced texture

"We listened to the vintage. Silex tells a story, which is just getting richer every year. 2023's mild year is reflected in the wine's linear, mineral style. An elegant nose of toasted almonds and lemon peel leads to a bright, beautifully balanced texture with waxy grip and acidity." - Ben Witchell, Winemaker.