Harrow & Hope Blanc de Noirs 2013

Decanter wrote “English sparkling wine is a world-class product.” With awards since the first release, Henry’s Harrow & Hope is one of the country’s best. Until 2010 Henry had been more used to making reds in Oz and Bordeaux, but he and his wife Kaye returned to England and planted a 10-hectare vineyard in Marlow with Chardonnay and both Pinots. In 2013 they completed a new winery. Henry’s had some top names advising him – Tony Jordan of Australia’s Moët et Chandon (who predicted that this Blanc de Noirs would be their “head turner”) and the UK’s late King of Fizz Mike Roberts. Using Champagne’s classic Pinot grapes, and ageing it a full three years on lees and six months after disgorgement, this is a complex bubbly with rich toasty length.