WINE REVIEW
I have for quite some time been a champion of Exton Park’s precise and distinctive sparkling wines. While the estate remains focussed on its non-vintage ‘Reserve Blend’ approach, it is the rare release of a vintage wine that is often the most captivating. The latest to be launched is the Blanc de Noirs 2014 – only their second vintage Blanc de Noirs to date – and the first to be released at retail.
The fruit used in this wine came from one particular block of Pinot Noir, and explaining the importance of the grape, winemaker Corinne Seely stated that “the creation of a vintage Blanc de Noirs at Exton Park is a truly exceptional occurrence, given the precious nature of Pinot Noir in our Reserve Blends”.
Pale in colour compared to some of the more bronzed Blanc de Noirs out there, the wine has a powerful nose of red apple, chalk and toasted almond, as well as hints of almond pastry.
The palate is brisk and bright, with the signature Exton Park top notes of crisp apple, racy citrus and bright minerality. The palate takes a creamier, weightier turn, with almond croissant notes, together with a curious smoky hint and soft, slender bubbles.
What makes this really special is the juxtaposition of the linear, fresh and chalky precision that all of Exton Park’s wines demonstrate alongside the complexities that nearly ten years of bottle age allows to develop.
