grape varieties:
WINE REVIEW
This is a really grown-up and textured expression of Blanc de Noirs from Surrey’s Denbies Wine Estate. The Denbies had an impressive six years bottle ageing with a barrel-matured dosage for extra complexity.
The nose on this is really distinctive – it reminds me of winter! The smell is reminiscent of oranges with spices pricked into their skin. I love that quality, and it really complemented stone fruit and roasted almond notes.
To taste, again, there’s a lovely winter spiced note that stands out with orange peel and spiced roasted almonds. And there’s also plentiful fruit in the form of apricot, baked apple and peach.
This is a generous style of Blanc de Noirs, but it’s not cumbersome thanks to the brisk cut-through of English acidity.
Other Wines by this Winemaker
Denbies Cubitt Blanc de Noirs 2015 Magnum
Weighty and structured, delivering on the promise of a bready, savoury mix with stone fruit pastry.
Denbies Vineyard Select Pinot Noir 2018
Cherry and ripe raspberry flavours, backed by dark chocolate and a crushed peppery spice.
Denbies Ranmore Hill 2017
WOTM July 2019 A curious fusion of ripe peach, hints of lightly grilled tropical fruit, with a twist of lime & smoky notes.
Denbies Sparkling Bacchus 2016
A fusion of pear, elderflower, zesty lime and gooseberry, with a softer, riper mix of light peach and honeydew melon.
M&S Bacchus Reserve 2017
A punchy palate, packed full of zingy citrus fruit, with papaya and guava tropics.
Sainsbury’s TtD English Sparkling 2014
Probably the best mainstream own-label English wine on the market right now.
