Balfour

‘1503’ Classic Cuvée

Brut | England

Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

While its flagship vintage rosé has secured Balfour a firm place among England’s top wine producers, the estate introduced a second tier of traditional method sparkling wine. This pair of non-vintage wines, a rosé and a classic brut, appear under the ‘1503’ label, reference the date when the estate’s historic manor house was built. Made from the property’s estate vineyards and with a fresher, aperitif style in mind, this offers a very approachable yet still refined English fizz experience. This bottling saw the introduction of 10% Pinot Meunier, rounding out the fruit profile. This ‘Classic Cuvée’ is arguably England’s best value traditional method sparkling wine.

The fruit was harvested throughout October and the grapes were destemmed then whole-berry pressed to stainless steel tanks. Fermentation was inoculated with a house-specific strain and fermented at a cool temperature, preserving the vibrant fruit notes. Malolactic fermentation occurred simultaneously with primary fermentation. The wine was bottled and hit with the liqueur de tirage to the optimum potential pressure as dictated by Victoria, the winemaker. Following a minimum of 12 months on lees the wine was disgorged in November 2022. It was given a 10 gram dosage, which enhances the vibrant fruit notes. The wine is bottled to order for freshness.

Stats

Grapes: 45% Pinot Noir - 45% Chardonnay - 10% Pinot Meunier
Vineyard: The Hush Heath Estate – Old Eight Acre and Foxridge blocks
Vine Age: 8-15-years-old
Soil Type: Wealden clay over Tunbridge Wells sand
Viticulture: Sustainable – dry-farmed
Fermentation: Inoculated – stainless-steel
Skin Contact: None
Aging: Primary: 6 months in stainless-steel Secondary: >12 months in bottle
Alcohol: 12.5%
Residual Sugar: 10 g/L
pH: 3.74
Total Acidity: 7.8 g/L
Total Production: 2,500 cases
UPC: 5060056540368

Tasting Note

Pale gold with pink highlights and a fine sustained bead. The aromatics and precise and clean with fresh lemon and blood orange, apple, and dried herbs. The palate is lively with lemony acid, crisp apple, white pepper and thyme characteristics. The finish is amplified and sustaines with a lingering fruit note.

Press & Reviews

Wine Advocate

90

"Opening in the glass with pretty aromas of white flowers, green orchard fruit, musky peach and clear honey, the NV Brut Classic Cuvée 1503 is medium-bodied, bright and aromatic, with a fleshy core of fruit, racy acids and a pinpoint mousse. This is a lively, extroverted wine that's showing well out of the gates."

- William Kelley

Wine Enthusiast

94

"Classically structured and beautifully balanced, delicate fruit aromas dance with creamier, toastier ones. It hints at jasmine, white peach, apple with custard and lemon oil. There’s a silkiness to the mouthfeel, then a crunch of acidity and fine bubbles. Those delicate aromas flow seamlessly into flavors. A poised and ultra-food-friendly bottling. The back label suggests fish and chips. This reviewer agrees."

- Christina Pickard

Decanter

90

"A reliable Chardonnay-dominant traditional-method sparkling from fruit taken from across Kent, disgorged in March 2021 after nine months on lees, the base wine being the 2019 vintage. Nice nougat and sweet praline notes alongside ripe red apple and some saline hints."

- Tina Gellie

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