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The Bolney Estate

‘Bolney Bubbly – Classic Cuvée’

Brut   |   Sussex - England
Shelf Talker Spec Sheet Wine Label Bottle Image

About

This is the wine that replaced the originaly ‘Bolney Bubbly.’ Past iterations of this NV ‘classic cuvée’ were based on the ‘classic’ Champagne trio of grapes with Chardonnay at the helm. This version, however, focuses on the Pinot Noir, which makes up 82% of the blend, and provides a delicate, royal fruitiness. Yet the Chardonnay, as always at Bolney, is still the matriarch of the vineyard. Her short temper and high-pitched voice are easily recognizable with laser-like acidity. Pinot Meunier adds a splash of fun, like a court jester. While previous bottlings had a racing acidity above 10 g/L, this bottling is a little more subdued, hovering just under 7 g/L, which called for a lower dosage to reach a pristine balance on the palate. This is a delicious and yet quite sophisticated entry into the Bolney court.

Despite the ‘NV’ label, this blend consists entirely of the 2018 vintage. The grapes were hand-picked and whole bunch pressed to tank, each vinified separately. Sam made the selection with a vision in mind for drinkability and yet site specificity. The blend was produced with that in mind and put to bottle for secondary fermentation where it gained complexity and breadth on the lees for a minimum of two years. The wines were disgorged on June 24, 2021 and topped with a 4.5 gram per liter dosage. The wine is fun and still very serious.

Stats

  • Grapes: 82% Pinot Noir - 12% Chardonnay
  • Vineyard: The Bolney Estate
  • Vine Age: 15-years-old
  • Soil Type: chalk - sandstone
  • Viticulture: Conventional
  • Fermentation: Inoculated – stainless-steel (100% whole berry)
  • Skin Contact: None
  • Aging: 4 months in stainless-steel followed by 24 months on lees in bottle
  • Alcohol: 12.5%
  • Residual Sugar: 4.5 g/L
  • pH: 3.26
  • Total Acidity: 6.7 g/L
  • Total SO2: 77 mg/L
  • Total Production: 1,167 cases
  • UPC: 5060135650100

Tasting Note

A whiff of elderflower and nettle appears on the nose before creamier hints of autolysis and green apple come in. The nettle makes another brief, aromatic appearance while the palate comes together to balance bright, green-apple crispness with mellow, subtly rich yeastiness. The bubbles are fine and soft, the finish is brisk and enlivening. It’s a wonderfully harmonious, fresh apéritif style.

Press & Reviews

Wine Enthusiast

92

"The generosity of ripe apples, golden mirabelles and vivid citrus assails the nose with joyous intent. On the palate, these generous fruit notes are defined by vivid citrus freshness and a wonderfully frothy freshness. This is bottled exuberance and will disappear in no time at all. This slips down far too easily with all its fruity freshness."
- Anne Krebiehl, MW
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Producer


The Bolney Estate

Region


Sussex

Country


England

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