“The 2014 harvest was a low cropping year, a lot of hen and chicken in the bunches, very little green berries, then big ripe ones alongside in the bunch. They’re very different to the 2013 wines, a strong vintage influence here. Structure is the thing, more minerally in generally”, winemaker Ed Carr explains, “I was apprehensive early, the 13s had such classic lines, these 14s have a personality that I enjoy. The 14s remind me more of grower Champagne, let’s say, structured, minerally, deep, but not necessarily as classic as the 14s, which remind me of more bigger house styles, per se”.

“This is a pretty interesting wine, mineral and intense, a sort of undertone of scrumpy cider, aldehyde kind of feel”, offers Carr. Sounds like my kind of (grower) Champagne! Oak is higher percentage, 12% new French oak barrique employed here. Winemaking in barrel is described as neat and tidy too.

It’s a wine defined by acidity and minerality, sure, and yet a bolder style, dense and potent, albeit racy acidity and a piercing fizz. You do see a faint fino sherry, honey-glazed nut character and whiffs and licks of sea spray come into the mix around ripe apple, juicy lemon juice notes. There’s a pulse of briny fizz that lingers nicely after each sip. Lots of interest here. It’s got fragrance, it leans into its crunch and zingy, tension and precision, and yet delivers full flavour and character. Has an edginess this release and yet a palate coating richness. A lot to savour.

95 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.