Highlights: Ridgeview Oak Reserve NV England
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of sparkling wine house Ridgeview, a limited edition high-end bottling has been released. The base wines, from three vintages, were aged in oak.
Ridgeview Oak Reserve NV England
12% alcohol. 100% Chardonnay from a vineyard planted in 1995, which is ancient history in terms of English sparkling wine. It’s a blend of three vintages, with the base wines aged in barrel. This is concentrated and dense with lovely tense acidity, and a keen lemony core. The fruit here is fantastic. Overlaid on this are notes of toast, cedar and spice, as well as a touch of vanilla. Has great intensity and focus, with lots of flavour. The woody notes are present, but integrate well, with an expanding finish: all the flavours compressed in by the acidity begin to emerge. Pretty serious effort, albeit in a distinctive style with the oak impact. 93/100 (Retail is £75; initially 1000 bottles of the 2600 bottle production will be released from Ridgeview’s website).
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