Silex 2023 from Flint Vineyards

I’ve been getting excited about English wine for a long time now. The Silex 2023 is the latest wine to pique my interest. I think it really shows the upward trajectory in wine making skill that we are seeing in England and Wales now, as makers seek to express the true character of their grapes and break out of the mould of expectation that is already being cast over this nascent industry.

The showcase variety is Chardonnay, blended with whole bunch pressed Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. The grapes come not just from Flint’s own vineyards, but also from Whitewolfe in Kent and Martin’s Lane in Essex. The juice was pressed in a mixture of new and neutral oak barrels for a year – a deliberately hands-off approach to the winemaking to let the fruit speak for itself. The wine has undergone malolatic fermentation and lees stirring to help increase the level of richness.

Is there any good reason I’ve photographed this bottle in the snow? No, there is not. It has snowed this week. Therefore all bottles are being photographed in aforementioned snow.

Let’s dig in to Silex 2023

I feel like stately, crisp whites are already becoming a mainstay of the still English wine scene. So it’s nice to taste something that has a different personality. I was picking up plenty of lemon but also a soft peachiness and a hint of perfumed blossom. This flavour profile was beautifully complemented by the moderate body and soft mouthfeel which gives this wine a richness and elegance. For me, the body didn’t last on the finish – the luxuriousness ended too soon and gave way to a slight wateriness, but this was my only criticism.

Silex 2023 has a medium plus acidity holds the whole thing together and keeps the wine nicely in balance. There is minerality and vibrancy, but I like the fact that this is a softer, easier drinking wine than many still English whites. Many can hold their austere acidity in haughty esteem above everything else.

This isn’t the most powerful wine out there. But its understated nature means that it is a great choice for food pairing. Within the spectrum of lighter flavours, this will be a flexible table wine to enjoy across the seasons. I can imagine it working well with the usual suspects – chicken, fish, pork, pasta. However, it will also make a great impact set against BBQ and grilled foods that have an edge of char or light spice to them.

Buy it direct from Flint.

I received this bottle as a tasting sample. Rest assured my opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this review.