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2021 BLACK CHALK Classic, Lea & Sandeman

BLACK CHALK

2021 Classic

IN STOCK
Grapes Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Colour White
Origin United Kingdom, English Sparkling Wine
ABV 12%

Full bottle 1,611 g. 100% estate-grown grapes from the Test Valley in Hampshire. 50% Chardonnay, 38% Pinot Noir, 12% Pinot Meunier. TA 8.5 g/l, RS 5.4 g/l. A small proportion of malolactic fermentation on the base wines and some barrel ageing. 22 months sur lattes and post disgorgement is held for six months on cork before being released. A beautifully orchestrated wine: canon of curd and candied lemon; ostinato of citrus-oil and citrus-blossom fragrance; call of cardamom; response of warm scone, shortbread. Curves-and-zest heart of gloriously toothsome pomelo curd. Winemakers Jacob Leadley and Zoë Driver seem to go from strength to strength Drinking range: 2024 - 2030 Rating: 17 Tamlyn Currin - www.JancisRobinson.com (Sept 2024)

*Case price discount: Mix any 12 bottles of wine (or 9 litre equivalent) or 6 bottles of Champagne, Spirits, Sweet Wine or Fortified (4.5 litres) to get the discounted 'case price' for each bottle.

The Classic Cuvee is always vintage led, never an NV. For Jacob and Zoe, it's all about the fruit profile of the vintage, first and foremost. The 2021 Classic is the result of a rather tricky vintage, where Pinot performed a little better. However, this is still Chardonnay led (50%), with 20 months on lees, and the rest under cork. Much more red fruited on the nose, with red apple skins and strawberries. Confit lemon, with a gentle vanilla biscuity background, with the same gentle red fruit from the Pinot Meunier filling out the mid palate. This has such a lovely texture, good weight of fruit and a very precise purity of the fruit, with a long minty finish. Incredibly satisfying and moreish, a huge accomplishment - well done Jacob and Zoe! L&S (Sept 2024)


Alcohol 12% Total Acidity 8.5g/l Dosage 5.4g/l

Pair With Crisps & canapés Shellfish: oysters, crab, prawns Fried chicken

50% Chardonnay 38% Pinot Noir 12% Pinot Meunier

Vintage Report 2021 was a difficult year all round for growing grapes in England; there were several frost events around bud burst in April, and flowering and fruit set was challenging with the weather being wet and cool. August was consistently overcast and humid, bringing enormous disease pressure, but fortunately September and October were warmer and dryer, saving the season. Harvest was much later than usual and yields were down, but the very long and cool growing season meant that the fruit, particularly the Pinots, were some of the best we have seen to date – delicate, pure, and elegant.

Tasting Notes Black Chalk Classic is always Chardonnay-led, both on the palate and the nose and this vintage is no exception; it has a wonderful precise fruit focus, and the palate is textured and full. A small amount of malolactic fermentation on the base wines creates weight and richness, whilst still allowing the wine to retain a fresh edge that is a hallmark for Black Chalk wines. The perfect aperitif with crisps and canapés. For an everyday pairing you can’t beat Classic with a good piece of fried chicken or for something a little fancier, try with shellfish like oysters, crab and prawns.
Winemaker's notes (Sept 2024)

Black Chalk

Black Chalk is the passion project of Jacob Leadley. Started in 2015, who started making wines in this beautiful corner of the Test Valley in Hampshire when he was still making wine at Hattingley. The first wines were released in 2018, and in 2020 his assistant at Hattingley, Zoe Driver, joined him and they've never looked back

Here, they are making some of the most exciting wines in England, in a meticulous and charmingly nerdy fashion. Across the 4 vineyards they own, they are working with 34 clones of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Précoce, and Pinot Gris, each with their own profile. However, most important of all is the solid chalk found beneath the shallow soils here. Many fishermen will recognise the Test Valley, famed for its chalk streams, but this great hunk of chalk beneath the vineyards is key to the purity and precision found in these wines.

We are incredibly excited to be working with these elegant, unique wines, made by a small but incredibly passionate team.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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