Gusbourne Estate Brut Reserve Sparkling Wine, Kent, England – 2011

Made in tradtional “methode Champenoise” style from a blend of 42% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir and 23% Pinot Meunier, this classy sparkling wine was left for 39 months on its lees during its important second fermentation in bottle. The 2011 Summer was fairly cool but September was warm, dry and sunny, providing perfect ripening and picking conditions for this vintage’s crop. This is a very impressive English sparkler with crisp, refreshing acidity, intense, ripe English apple fruit favours and a bready, biscuity complexity from its long ageing on its lees.