Harrow & Hope Blanc de Noirs 2018

Decanter wrote “English sparkling wine is a world-class product.” With awards since the first release, Henry Laithwaite’s Harrow & Hope is one of the country’s best. Until 2010 he had been making reds in Oz and Bordeaux, but he and his wife Kaye returned to England and planted a 10-hectare vineyard in Marlow in 2010. In 2013 they completed a new winery. Last release of this flagship cuvée was 3 years ago. This release, mostly from the warm 2018 vintage, is all Pinot Noir and from one particular part of the vineyard, where clay and chalk combine to lend a real fullness to the grapes. 47% of the wine is barrel fermented and all is aged on lees for three years and six months after disgorgement. A fine, complex bubbly with rich toasty length.