PL Award 1: Silver - DWWA 2017 PL Award 2: Silver - IWC 2016 Country: United Kingdom  Region: Southern England  Vintage: NV Category: Sparkling White  Color:  White 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." Product Features: Sustainable;Vegan;Vegetarian 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: The grapes were whole bunch pressed and then fermented at 16°C in stainless steel. Secondary fermentation took place in bottle and the wine aged on its lees for 15 months. The grapes are all grown, fermented and bottled on the Estate. Tasting Notes: A golden colour with pink highlights, Leslie's Reserve is a fresh and vibrant style with an expressive and fruity character of citrus, green apple and a creamy mousse. It has a lovely roundness on the palate, refreshing acidity on the finish and complexity derived from the lees ageing. Food Suggestion: Wonderfully refreshing as an aperitif at any time of the year, or delicious with canapés and small plates. Closure: DIAM Cork  ABV:12%  Acidity [g/l]: 8.5