This new single-vineyard sparkling wine, the Black Chalk HiDE Extra Brut 2021, hails from the chalky terrains of Hampshire, England. It features a blend of 48% Pinot Noir, 47% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier, with 5% of the base wine undergoing barrel fermentation. The vineyard was established in 2011, and the wine’s unique character stems from its stony soils, which contain 50% stones, and shallow depths.
Fewer than 3000 bottles were produced, and it’s priced at £80 in the UK. Interestingly, the International Wine & Spirit Competition awarded it a Bronze medal, a designation that some might consider a misjudgment.
With an alcohol content of 12%, this wine went through a partial malolactic fermentation, spent 46 months on lees, and was corked for at least six months post-disgorgement. The composition includes 9.1 g/litre of acidity and a residual sugar level of 4.2 g/l.
The HiDE Extra Brut offers a ripe and complex aroma with notes of apple, pear, honey, and a hint of toast. On the palate, it is both concentrated and rich, exhibiting flavors of lemon and apple, complemented by a touch of toastiness. It concludes with a fresh finish and a bright acidity, embodying the signature style of Black Chalk while revealing additional layers of complexity. The wine has garnered a score of 94 out of 100, highlighting its impressive quality.
For more details on the wine, visit Black Chalk.