NV Hush Heath Extra Dry Balfour 1503 Classic Cuvee

While its flagship vintage rosé has secured Hush Heath a firm place among England’s top wine producers, the estate recently introduced a second tier of traditional method sparkling wine. This pair of non-vintage wines, a rosé and a white, appear under the ‘1503’ label, a reference to the date when the estate’s historic manor house was built. Made from the property’s younger vineyards and with a slightly higher dosage than the original Balfour wines, these offer a very approachable yet still refined English fizz experience. After harvest in mid- to late October, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel and cuvées are blended with youthful freshness in mind. Malolactic fermentation helps create a softer, more approachable style. Secondary fermentation in bottle is followed by at least 12 months on lees prior to disgorgement with a ten degree dosage addition. Pale gold with pink highlights and a fine, sustained bead. The nose is clean and fresh with lemony acidity, crisp apple and dried herbs, all of which continue onto the palate before a fresh and sustained finish. -Distributor's Notes