Evolution, Complexity and Texture.
Flint translated into French is ‘Silex’, which once acknowledged gives an insight into how central to us this wine is. We believe that its ethos is a microcosm of Flint Vineyard itself - it is the evolutionary and individualistic heart of our core range; a creation of concept and personality.
The first of these wines was the 2017 vintage, a critical and commercial success, however that was just the starting point. Since then each year has seen us apply a degree of measured shift to its grape varieties and their precise quantities, the approach taken in the winery, and the maturation techniques applied.
In varietal terms, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay have dominated across the seven vintages of its living blueprint, with Pinot Gris, Meunier, Bacchus and Solaris all making vital supporting contributions in different vintages.
Of course each year our wines are the product of the unique conditions of the growing season and different varieties will react in their own way. So this in turn impacts upon our blending decisions - a healthy and necessary balance between ethos and pragmatism.
What might people expect from a bottle of Silex 2023?
Well this wine does change from year to year - and that’s exactly the point. It’s the concept of vintage variation, taken almost as far as we can push it. Almost.
From the outset Silex speaks to the evolution of style, balancing tradition with new techniques and ideas to deliver a wine of complexity and distinct character. The fruit is whole-bunch pressed, omitting nitrogen during the pressing process to accommodate the wine’s later oxidative methods.
In 2023, Chardonnay really stood out and we chose to make this variety the dominant part of the blend. Alongside Chardonnay, we whole-bunch pressed Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, fermenting and maturing these in a mixture of new and neutral oak barrels for 12 months. This approach enhances the wine’s weight and texture.
On the nose, Silex offers aromas of toasted almonds and lemon peel, a captivating introduction to what follows on the palate. The wine is dry yet soft, revealing a bright, beautifully balanced texture with waxy grip and acidity with a long, structured finish.
The winemaking was deliberately hands off, allowing the grapes to shine and help make the decisions for us.
As Ben describes it: “Silex is the evolution of a winemaking style; of exploration and innovation, without any limitations.”
The wine is minimally handled, with no cold-stabilisation, meaning it may develop light sediment or crystals over time, which is an indication of its natural winemaking touch points. This isn’t just a technical note - we feel it is a testament to this wine’s integrity.
Silex is a bright, balanced, complex wine that pairs beautifully with food, and has the potential to mature and evolve in the cellar over time.
Whether opening now or tracking its journey over the years, Silex is a wine that will always reflect Flint Vineyard’s commitment to quality, innovation, and evolution.
