Stockist/Retailer: drinksdirect

(2024) From the burgeoning English Sparkling Wine scene, this is a delightful West Sussex Brut blending the three main Champagne varieties. It's a cuvée dominated by 61% Chardonnay along with 34% Pinot Noir and 5% of Pinot Meunier. Though presented as Brut, after four years on the lees it was bottled with zero dosage. It is a dry Champagne, but it is fruit-filled and far from austere. It has a fine mousse and a really biscuity, creamy and nutty nose, those autolytic aromas dominating the lemon and red apple fruit. In the mouth it zips along with dazzling freshness, but the nuttiness and the plush suggestion of sweet, ripe fruit at the core of this fills the mid-palate and gives excellent balance. A super impressive first tasting from this estate for me.

(2017) This brand, colloquially known as 'Ace of Spades', attracts a lot of scepticism because of the bling packaging and the fact that it is owned by musician JayZ. But analytically this is a fine all-Chardonnay blend of the 2009, 2010 and 2012 vintages that is pretty and floral on the nose, with some rosy apple and a touch of creamy oatmeal. Lots of juicy, lemon and lime fruit and acidity, though there's a certain silkiness to the texture and mousse too.