Danbury Ridge Chardonnay 2021

Description

While most UK estates look to Reims and Epernay for inspiration, scaling their activities and ambitions to compete with the vast brands of the Marne, the focus at Danbury Ridge is directed toward grower Champagnes and the small domaines of Burgundy.

Now, just a few vintages into the project, and that early aspiration is being realised: Danbury Ridge is bottling wines that critics have already favourably compared to some of the finest addresses in Burgundy, Oregon and cool climate, New Zealand.

The first vines were planted in 2014 with an unwavering focus on still Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones to exploit the unique mesoclimate. After just a few seasons the vines were producing grapes of a ripeness previously unseen in the UK.

A classic white wine grape variety grown and loved the world over. Danbury Wine Estate cultivates six different Chardonnay clones for use in both still and sparkling wines. Wine made exclusively from Danbury Wine Estate grapes became the first ever English Chardonnay to win a Gold medal at the International Wine Challenge.

Elegantly perfumed with fresh citrus flavours of lime zest and mandarin with white peach. The palate displays mouth-watering acidity and a delightful texture and great length.

"Full, specially designed, grooved bottle weighs 1,555 g. Unnecessarily heavy. Fermented in 288-litre burgundy barrels and left on gross lees for 10 months. Malo but no lees-stirring. Then aged for a further 20 months before release in spring 2021. TA 6.1 g/l, pH 3.35. 5,005 bottles produced.

Extraordinarily potent for an English wine! Nice chalky finish after a hint of popcorn and admirable refreshment. Good blend of sweet fruit and freshness with some butteriness. Remarkable in an English context. Though I suspect it will not be given away …
Drink 2020 - 2024.
16.5 / 20 points."
(Jancis Robinson, JR Purple Pages, February 2021)