Website: https://raimes.co.uk/
Raimes Blanc de Blancs 2018 Hampshire, England
12% alcohol. 100% Chardonnay from the South Downs, produced by Hattingley. Matured 46 months on lees, disgorged in January 2023 with a dosage of 5g/l. Offers sweetly aromatic scents with hints of honey and toast coupled with bright tones of pear and peach. The palate presents a more complex and earnest profile, featuring sweet citrus flavors melded with exquisite toasty nuances, demonstrating elegance and some precision. It concludes with vivacious notes of mandarin and lemon. This wine is both delightful and approachable, with an underlying depth. Score 92/100 (available for £40 directly from Raimes).