Hambledon Vineyard, Classic Cuvée Brut, Hampshire, England

Creamy, with elegant green apple fruit and some nice nutty development. The high acidity provides freshness, and there is some complexity on the quite round palate. There is a lovely vibrancy and great length of finish.

Aged for at least 35 months on its lees, the Classic Cuvée has a yeasty nose of freshly-picked green apple, pear blossom and sourdough. Zesty citrus and crunchy green fruits on the delicate palate. 3 years of ageing on lees add more structure and texture, with red fruits to finish. A perfect choice for lightly seasoned seafood. The estate's Classic Cuvée Rosé is also a treat.

The base wine went through malolactic fermentation with battonage. Yeasty on the nose with citrus blossom, salted nuts and yellow apple. Generous mousse opens up to a full-on palate of brioche, citrus, green fruit acidity (8g/l) and depth of spiced red berries. Satisfying and long. The latest release is based on the 2018 vintage.