Black Chalk HiDE Extra Brut 2021 Hampshire, England
Website: https://blackchalkwine.co.uk/products/hide-2021
This is a new single-vineyard sparkling wine from Black Chalk. It’s a very chalky block with shallow soils and 50% stones in the soil, and it’s a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with just a trickle of Pinot Meunier, with 5% of the base wine barrel fermented. This won’t be made every year. Fewer than 3000 bottles made, retail £80 in the UK. [Interesting note: I did a google search and found out that the IWSC gave this a Bronze medal, which I reckon is a miscarriage of justice.]
Black Chalk HiDE Extra Brut 2021 Hampshire, England
12% alcohol. Single vineyard, stony soils, planted in 2011. 48% Pinot Noir, 47% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Meunier. Partial malolactic fermentation, 5% barrel ferment. 46 months on lees and at least 6 months on cork post-disgorgement. 9.1 g/litre acid and a residual sugar level of 4.2 g/l (not always the same as dosage). Ripe, complex nose of apple, pear and honey, with a hint of toast. The palate is concentrated and complex with lemon and apple fruit and some toastiness, with a mid-palate richness but then finishing fresh with a nice acid line. This is very much in the Black Chalk style, with nice purity and freshness, but there are also extra dimensions here. Really impressive. 94/100
