BEST OF ENGLISH SPARKLING

96

NYETIMBER 1086 VINTAGE 2010

A fine hint of candied lemon appears before a flinty, almost smouldering creaminess on the nose, promising richness. The palate comes in with immediate balance, with streamlined sleekness, carried on creamy mousse, the flavours are subtle and rounded. This is effortlessly harmonious. Yellow apple, brisk lemon and rich shortcrust combine on a higher plane. This is from 2010 but utterly youthful, not even at its zenith yet. A ••••• milestone for England.

95 HAMBLEDON VINEYARD PREMIÈRE CUVÉE NV

The fist whiff is of Granny Smith apple, followed by crunchy, salty shortbread and a sense of creaminess. The palate comes with immediate poise and balance, with slenderness that has real depth and a kind of serenity that speaks of chalk and seabreeze. There is ripe lemon at the core, vivid, creamy mousse and a supremely balanced, bone-dry ••• finish. A class act.

93 RATHFINNY WINE ESTATE BLANC DE NOIRS 2016

A hint of nougat along with freshly cut Red Delicious apple on the nose suggests both creaminess and briskness. There are overtones of blossom and honey. The palate strikes a lovely balance and brims with red apple fruit on a beautifully rounded body. There is a lovely rye bread sourdough and white pepper savouriness on the long, creamy finish. •••

Really elegant.

96

WISTON BLANC DE NOIRS 2014

A hint of narcissus fleets before the notions of Red Delicious apple, with a lovely edge of lime zest, nougat and salted shortbread start to unfold on the nose. The palate comes in with exquisite creaminess and smoothest foam that underlines the lovely concentration of flavour, the beautiful depth, the well-proportioned roundness. Such an umami finish. Gorgeous now but will •••• evolve.

94 EXTON PARK RESERVE BLEND RB45 BLANC DE BLANCS NV

A quartet of chalk, ocean breeze, honey and lemon confit appears on the nose, taking turns to promise freshness and depth. The palate is wonderfully bright and brisk, the fine mousse lends extra brilliance to the lemon top notes while all is grounded in coolest chalk. Notions of honey blitz up on this slender, vivid and oh so refreshing wine. •••

Exquisite and complex

93 RIDGEVIEW BLANC DE BLANCS SINGLE VINEYARD 2016

From the first vineyard planted by Ridgeview in 1995, this now is the well-deserved vintage Blanc de Blancs. Subtle hints of oystershell blend in with bright, vivid, pale lemon freshness on the nose. The palate is as bright, as fresh, but it has a creamy, gentle vein as a counterweight. Creamy mousse underscores •••• elegance and brightness.

96 SUGRUE SOUTH DOWNS CUVÉE BOZ BLANC DE BLANCS 2015

An intriguing mix of cream, vanilla and smoke makes for a dramatic opening. Creamy mousse defines the palate, expressing salty oystershell and preserved lemon, shortbread richness and subtle saltiness. The smoky echo returns on the finish of pristine lemon, expressing depth and soaring freshness in equal measure. The finish is pure and lasting. Lay •••• this down and you will have treasure.

94 GUSBOURNE

BLANC DE BLANCS 2016

There is a slightly smoky touch of reduction before hints of salted shortbread appear on the nose. The palate carries that smouldering smokiness over so that it colours the beautifully rounded, soft shortbread notes that surround notions of Golden Delicious apple and overtones of lime zest. The mousse is •••• creamy, the balance is beautiful.

92 BALFOUR SKYE BLANC DE BLANCS 2014

An almost floral note blends in with the bright lemon on the nose. There are hints of green apple, too. The palate is bright, with a silvery, bright note of pure, pale lemon freshness. The gentle mousse is fine, giving a creamy freshness and subtle richness to the slender body. The finish ••• is long and creamy.