Charles Palmer Classic Cuvée 2014

This wine is a 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes which has spent three years on the lees. The high proportion of Pinot Noir gives the wine some real heft and fruit, but it is balanced out beautifully by the tension and minerality the Chardonnay provides. Charles Palmer Vineyards is a family run wine estate at Winchelsea in Sussex. The estate’s vineyards benefit from an ideal climate for vines, with its close proximity to the sea, south facing slope, and its terroir in particular. The lowest part of the vineyard is a mere 5 metres from sea level and sits above a bed of Kimmeridgian clay similar to the Grand Crus of Burgundy. Their vines were first planted in 2006 specifically with the aim of producing a sparkling wine of the highest standard. Production is small and meticulous. Every effort is made to ensure only the best grapes are produced and selected according to the family’s exacting standards. The result is a small and exciting collection of vintage sparkling wines, each vintage unique and characterful in its own way.