Blanc de Blancs Magnum 2009

Pours in an enticing, effervescent golden hue. The nose is elegance in a glass, with hints of lemon blossom lifting deeper notes of toffee. On the complex palate, toasted oats and biscotti meet with caramelised apple and a streak of fresh citrus. The rich body and fine texture is carried along beautifully by a tense and lively acidity. The finish is pure, with the hallmark salinity of our original estate vines.

100% Single-Vineyard Chardonnay planted in 1995 at our home estate in Sussex, based on clay loam soils placed on a low ridge of Paludina limestone. Sloping southwards towards the South Downs Ridge and just eight miles from the sea, we enjoy a cool maritime climate, where the high hills to the south keep the micro-climate comparatively dry and warm during the growing season.

Our Head Winemaker selected the finest parcels of our single-estate Chardonnay for handpicking. These grapes were gently pressed in whole bunches and the juice fermented at 18-20°C in stainless steel using specialist sparkling wine yeasts. A selection of base wines went through malolactic conversion, before secondary bottle fermentation in our naturally cool underground cellars where the wine rested on its lees for over 12 years before disgorging with minimum 6 months cork ageing completing its epic journey.

A beautiful 11 and a half years on lees.