Black Chalk, Classic, England, United Kingdom, 2016

Available from 9th October, this is the second vintage from Black Chalk in Hampshire. Jacob Leadley, formerly head winemaker at Hattingley Valley, has crafted an impressive blend of the three Champagne grape varieties, with the base wine aged in oak barrels. Good perlage. Lovely precision and purity here, with a hint of biscuity creaminess and a depth of mellow fruit flavours – lemon citrus and a suggestion of red berries. Very good acidity, but well-integrated, not at all jarring. 8g/L dosage. A benchmark for English sparkling.