Tag: 2015
The Grange Classic 2015
These wines were perhaps the most openly-styled of the Hattingley-linked producers for now, with the Classic 2015 showing a very attractive white buttered sourdough toast over quite relaxed baked fruit and a friendly dosage. I like that they have really tried to avoid anything too tense or angular in this cuvée.
15.5
Date Tasted : 07/02/2020
The Grange Pink 2015
The Pink 2015 has an extra layer of fragrance, though, with very attractive poached summer pudding fruit. I look forward to getting to know this producer better over the coming years and vintages.
16
Date Tasted : 07/02/2020
Hattingley Valley Rosé 2015
The Rosé 2015 is offering so much refinement and charm in this new vintage. A classy assembly of fragrant strawberries and redcurrants where the palate just has an extra degree of silky finesse, it has the completeness of flavour to take a slightly higher dosage of 9 g/l effortlessly. Top drawer.
17
Date Tasted : 07/02/2020
Jenkyn Place Blanc de Blancs 2015
The Blanc de Blancs 2015 was more outgoing than I remembered, wearing a touch of oak influence very dashingly. Lime tart with a dollop of crème frâiche! There are even some tropical nuances here, hinting at some really good flavour development for Chardonnay in this vintage. The focused, nervous palate is set off against some fresh-cream roundness. This will be interesting in another year or so. Oak influence without any tiring or drying out. Possibly some malolactic flavours here.
16
Date Tasted : 07/02/2020
Raimes Rosé 2015
The Rosé 2015 reaches new heights for this young producer. Kudos to everyone involved for giving it time when the temptation is always to release Rosé younger than other cuvées. There is just a touch more autolytic substance here behind the pretty summer pudding fruit, touched with gingerbread spice. Lovely clarity and texture. A resounding success.
17
Date Tasted : 07/02/2020
Harrow and Hope Blanc de Noirs 2015
70% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier. Tasted back at the winery in Nov 2019 and awarded the joint highest score for ESW2020. This is impressive stuff. It seems a little more angular today (and possibly more open and oxidative than I remembered) but also brisling and tight. The nose is rather beautiful, broad with caramelised apricots, russet apple and sweet almond notes. There’s a gentle seam of butter and spice from some oak influence. The fruit almost goes black with wild blackberry and raspberry. Youthful on the palate, good flavour concentration and some real tightness. Excellent cuvée, perhaps a little more reservation in scoring than before. It needs time.
17.5
Date Tasted : 22/01/2020
Cottonworth Rosé 2015
48% Pinot Meunier, 47% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Précoce.The Classic Rosé is on form right now, though, with delightful strawberry and red cherry yoghurt and some subtle spicing. A bright, charming style with some grip and pink grapefruit refreshment on the finish.
16.5
Date Tasted : 07/02/2020
Jenkyn Place Blanc de Blancs 2015
This is possibly the finest Jenkyn Place release to date. Yes, it is almost monumental on the acid side, but there is a finesse to the lemon tart and sourdough flavour which, coupled with clean, cool pear fruit and subtle floral touches makes for an intriguing, very English character. I’m not sure how many Blanc de Blancs there will be from 2015 – this one may buck the trend and improve in bottle with some interest.
16.5
Date Tasted : 13/09/2019
Black Chalk Classic 2015
49% Chardonnay, 34% Meunier, 17% Pinot Noir. One of the last disgorgements of this wine before the 2016 base arrives in spring 2020. With fourteen months on cork this has opened up; first up the Chardonnay comes through with some straight-up crystallised white fruits, dried apple and some riper stone fruit before the black grapes, and particularly Meunier, start to fill the glass with fresh blackberry, cashew and a meaty, almost marmite-y savour. Lovely freshness underneath it all with Chardonnay reasserting itself in a zesty finish. Snap some of this up before it goes.
16.5
Date Tasted : 13/11/2019
Camel Valley Cornwall Brut 2015
50% Seyval Blanc, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir. This is really well made, showing how Seyval Blanc can mingle with the Champagne grapes effectively. Gentle yellow citrus and floral, herbal touches. The palate is lithe but complete, just showing a touch more creamy weight than the younger wines. My favourite of the Camel Valley Blancs, not concerned with furrowed-brow seriousness but guaranteed to please.
16
Date Tasted : 13/09/2019
