Bacchus is a cross of Riesling and Sylvaner, then crossed again with Muller Thurgau. Becoming known as “British Sauvignon Blanc” as a way to introduce some of its flavor profile, many examples would easily be mistaken for Sauvignon Blanc in blind tasting situations. I find this offering to be a more nuanced and expressive, like a fine dry Muscat with notes of herb and chamomile, bright acidity and a lively long finish. This has some bottle age on it, and it was clearly worth the wait. Made with a Swiss heirloom yeast called Sleeping Beauty.
92 Rich Cook
Hoffmann & Rathbone, England (United Kingdom) “Bacchus” 2020 ($26)
By Rich Cook