Gusbourne Agrafe Twenty Twenty
Coming this autumn:
the anticipated second edition in our Agrafe series, vintage 2020. Producing using an unusual, artisan method which requires painstaking winemaking: every element of the process, from bottling to disgorging, is done by hand.
Mary Bridges, Head Winemaker at Gusbourne comments: “Agrafe is a nod to tradition, but it’s also a step forward in our understanding of how English sparkling wines evolve. The technique might seem like a small change, but it delivers a wine that is uniquely expressive – a Chardonnay with depth, complexity and tension.
Be the first to hear
Register your interest and be among the first to know when this exclusive limited-release wine becomes available later in autumn 2025.
TASTING NOTE
This is the second release in our Agrafe series, with fewer than 1,000 bottles made. Crafted using the traditional agrafe method, this rare Blanc de Blancs is sealed under cork and metal staple: a technique which encourages development and adds remarkable complexity. Made from 100% Chardonnay from the warm, sun-filled 2020 vintage, the wine shows ripe citrus, orchard fruit and hints of caramelised character, with a broad, textured palate and balanced acidity.
The Agrafe process is entirely artisan: each bottle was hand corked, closed and finished by our winemaking team - a true labour of love.
Pale golden in colour, with fine, persistent bubbles in the glass. The nose is intense and opulent, with citrus peel, quince and pear, ginger and white spice.
The palate is elegant, dominated by riper fruit notes of green and yellow apple, lime and white peach. Alongside the fruit there’s more complex notes
of gingerbread and butterscotch, toasted brioche and a beautiful saline mineral note leading to a long finish.
Food pairing: this pairs beautifully with fish and seafood or creamy cheeses. Why not try butter roasted halibut, or langoustines with ginger and lemon?
it stole my heart
This is exactly the kind of offbeat wine that makes my heart beat a little faster and makes me smile. It has a grooved dimension that is quite unique in this room of diverse, iconic, distinctive English sparkling wines….I tasted this in such a rush and yet it stole my heart. I would love to taste this exciting wine again. 17.5/20 points, tasted 10 June 2024
Gusbourne Agrafe Twenty Twenty
Analysis
Grape Variety:
100% Chardonnay
Alcohol:
12%
Titratable Acidity:
8.3g/l
Residual Sugar:
9.0g/l
pH:
2.90
Factsheets:
All will be downloaded as PDF
2020 2019Winemaking
Processing:
Whole bunch pressed and naturally settled for 24-36 hours.
Fermentation:
10 days under 20 degrees celsius using specialist sparkling wine yeast. Fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, with a small percentage fermented in old oak barrels for complexity.
Bottling Date:
July 2021
Lees Ageing:
Minimum of 48 months under specialised 'Tirage cork'.
