The NV Première Cuvée comes from pre-selected grapes, 14% fermented in French oak, the remainder in stainless steel with a minimum 46 months on the lees. It has a dosage of 2g/L. Initially steely and reserved, it only takes a couple of swirls to reveal more leesy aromas, touches of baked bread and yellow flowers; there is fine definition here. The palate is well balanced with a touch of sour lemon on the entry that segues into a leesy midpalate. This is a classy English sparkling wine: taut and focused with saline notes defining the energetic finish. Recommended. July 2020

Whetstone sharp and lemony. This will wake you up in an instant. Bracingly crisp and less leesy richness than I was expecting. Quite chewy, dry, very focused and racy with plenty of smoky, toasty flair. This could take some additional bottle ageing, and will, I’m convinced, benefit from it. Full bottle 1,637 g. Hampshire vineyard on chalk. 67% Chardonnay, 11% Pinot Noir, 22% Pinot Meunier. 2014 base wine with 18% of barrel-aged reserve. Full malo. 4% of base wine was fermented in French oak. Six months on fine lees pre-blending. 62 months sur lies. Dosage 2.5 g/l. Disgorged 24 November 2021.
Oct 2022 - Tamlyn Currin