Hattingley Valley Classic Reserve (per 6 pack)

Hattingley Valley - Hampshire, United Kingdom

There was a time we might've thought Épernay was as close as we’d get to the English wine frontier. That changed when this ambitious, charismatic and far-sighted producer from Hampshire got in touch. Hattingley Valley was established in 2008, when Simon Robinson planted the first south-facing site. He and "extraordinarily talented” (says Matthew Jukes) winemaker Emma Rice then planned the modern, eco-friendly winery in Wield, which was completed in 2010. It released its first wine in August 2013, and a year later was declared to have made the world's finest vintage rosé in the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships. These wines have bright, clear, crisp fruit, a subtly fragrant hedgerow tone and searing acidity in seamless balance. Barrel ferments and lees ageing are judged perfectly for texture, complexity and overall integration. Jancis Robinson justly cites Hattingley Valley as one of the producers that "have really put English vineyards on the world wine map”. It’s our pleasure to give Australia a taste of this English idyll.

The Classic Cuvée is pale gold in colour. It has a well-developed nose showing a hint of autolysis with some subtle oak character. The balanced palate has crisp acidity and fine mousse. It has delicate toasty characteristics from the ageing on lees, while the gentle oak adds complexity.