2020 Althorne Estate Classic Cuvee Extra Brut

Full bottle 1,660 g. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier. The grapes are estate-grown and managed, hand-picked and taken directly to the on-site winery. Each variety is processed separately having been crushed, destemmed, and pressed to 0.8 bar for minimal colour extraction, and allowing the free run juice to be collected and separated from the pressings. Primary fermentation is in stainless-steel tanks, and secondary completed in bottle. The wine remains in bottle for 2–3 years before being disgorged with dosage added. TA 9.9 g/l, pH 2.8, RS 4.9 g/l.
Green apple and lemon blossom on the nose. Very high acidity, intensely lemony, almost Riesling-esque. Definitely not an easy-drinking sparkling wine. Works better with food – we had fish cakes. This should age for a good few years but the acidity is always going to be prominent. 16 points