Library Collection Blanc de Blancs 2009
Peacefully ageing in our cellars since bottling in 2010 – this is the longest we have ever aged a wine, and the result is exceptional.
From: £130.00
“A richly full-flavoured and stylish Dorian Gray of an English sparkler.” Anthony Rose – The World of Fine Wine
THE VINEYARD
Findon Park Vineyard was planted in 2006 on a 16 acre parcel of Wiston Estate. The site is a broad south-facing slope, planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It is situated in the heart of the South Downs – between the iconic Chanctonbury Ring and Cissbury Ring – where the classic Sussex chalk forms the subsoil. It benefits from the moderating influence of the sea – with the Sussex coast being 4km further south, and the chalk subsoil helps drain in the wetter years, and retain moisture when summers are hot.
2009 in the South Downs
The 2009 growing season was an ideal combination of conditions. It began with very few spring frosts, before the warm weather kicked in and continued throughout flowering in May. The rest of the summer was warm but with just enough rain at the right times. These favourable conditions continued through to harvest resulting in an excellent, perfectly ripe, abundant crop with balanced acidity. Harvest took place by hand over two weeks from 18th-28th October 2009.
Winemaking
The Chardonnay for this Blanc de Blancs comes from the steepest and highest part of the vineyard, where the slopes have the thinnest layer of topsoil before the vines find the South Downs chalk beneath. Grapes were pressed in Wiston’s iconic Coquard press – allowing for extremely gentle pressing. They were picked at optimal ripeness, fermentation was carried out in a range of young and old Burgundy barrels, as well as stainless steel – roughly half and half, and without malolactic fermentation. The wine was then bottled in July 2010, and allowed to rest for fourteen years ageing on lees – being finally disgorged in 2024. We are delighted with the result and cannot wait to share it. The additional ageing in our cellars has imparted depth and complexity to the wine, bringing richness, intensity, and a wonderfully long finish.
WHERE TO ENJOY…
Important note about serving this wine – do not open it with too many people at home – you may be disappointed by how quickly it disappears!
Description
The grapes for this wine were picked in 2009 – and it was then bottled for second fermentation in 2010 – and aged in our cellars ever since. We have never released it before – it is now ready to great the world!
READY TO DRINK?
Ready to drink on release. Can be kept if stored properly – see our tips for looking after your bottles at home…
Technical information
- Blend 100% Chardonnay
- Vintage 2009
- Bottling Our wines are bottled the summer after harvest, which is the moment they begin their second fermentation, which gives them their bubbles and evolved character. 2010
- Alcohol 12%
- Dosage The dosage indicates the amount per litre of sugar in the 'liqueur de dosage', a mixture of wine and sugar added to the bottles when they are disgorged at the end of the ageing process, to ensure balance and harmony in the final blend. 8 grams per litre
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The Library Collection from Wiston Estate
