Hush Heath Estate, Skye's English Chardonnay
Country: United Kingdom Region: Southern England Vintage: 2015
Category: White Wine Color: White Varietal: Pinot Noir/Nero
Producer: Hush Heath Estate
"Hush Heath Estate, situated in Kent, dates back to 1503. At the heart of the property is a Tudor manor surrounded by 162 hectares of perfectly manicured gardens, vineyards and apple orchards. Forward thinking Richard Balfour-Lynn first planted vineyards on the property in 2002, with the aim of making England's finest sparkling Rosé, Balfour Brut. Today, Hush Heath's 15 hectares of vineyards and eight hectares of apple trees are meticulously and sustainably managed by a family of viticulturists. The wines and cider are all made from estate grown fruit by winemakers Owen Elias and Victoria Ash. Owen Elias, both winemaker and cider maker, is a four time winemaker of the year by the UK Vineyards Association and has nearly 20 years experience making English wines.
Hush Heath's still wines are a real discovery. Skye's English Chardonnay has a lively citrus fruit character on the palate and racy acidity that is balanced by good depth on the mid palate. The beautifully pale Nanette's English Rose is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay with 5% Pinot Meunier to give it a citrus edge. It is wonderfully refreshing as an aperitif or with canapés. The Balfour Brut Rosé 2011 is a blend of 52% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 8% Pinot Meunier. It spends over three years on its lees and has a dosage of 7.2g/l. The result is a crisp rosé with balanced red berry fruit, richness from the lees ageing and elegance from the restrained dosage. Leslie's Reserve NV offers great value for an English sparkling. It is made from the same three grape varieties as Balfour Brut Rosé and is aged on its lees for 15 months. It is fruity and appealing, with lovely roundness on the palate and refreshing acidity on the finish and complexity derived from the lees ageing. The Pinot Noir 2015 is an exciting addition, a feather light red, with ripe and soft tannins, beautifully balanced acidity and juicy red fruit and spice notes. Last but not least, Jake's Kentish cider is a blend of Kentish Cox, Bramley and Russet apples, which are tree ripened (picked at their optimal ripeness). This practice gives the cider aromas of ripe apples that, though expected from apple ciders, is not always found. The cider is made in the winery using Champagne yeasts which give it a fine delicate mousse. It is off dry with lively balancing acidity and a dry finish."
Winemaker: Victoria Ash
Vineyards:
All vineyards are located on the 400 acre estate in the heart of Kent. Wealden clay soils overlay Tunbridge Wells sand. Vines are trellised using the double guyot method with vertical shot positioning. Planting density is 3300 vines per hectare and the whole estate is managed sustainably.
Vinification:
Whole bunch pressed at Hush Heath's state of the art winery. Cool fermentation took place at 14-16°C in stainless steel with selected yeasts to encourage an aromatic, fresh and fruit forward style. Minimal malolactic fermentation was carried out to retain a zesty acidity, preserving purity of fruit and site. The wine spent three months on its lees in tank, adding richness and body and was bottled without any oak influence.
Tasting Notes:
Brilliant white gold hued, the wine is very clean and bright on the nose with citrus, thyme and pineapple notes. Lively acidity on the palate is balanced by rich, ripe grapefruit, citrus and apple flavours, which meld into a long finish with a moreish saline and herbal note.
Closure: Stelvin ABV:11% Acidity [g/l]: 7.3
