The Premier Cru (our term, not theirs) from Danbury Ridge. A thoroughly delicious Pinot Noir from an extraordinary plot in rural Essex. A warm, dry vintage 2018, this will cellar for five years too. Buy seven, taste one, lay five down. It's delicious and we've never tried anything like this before.
Tim Aktin score 94/100. Awarded England 'Still Red Of The Year 2021'.
VINTAGE NOTES
The 2018 vintage was an excellent growing season. The intense cold and heavy snowfall brought on by the “Beast from the East” delayed the growing season and crucially meant frost at bud-burst was avoided. The warm temperatures and dry conditions prevailed into summer and our vineyards’ experienced 1,039 growing degree days. This long vegetative cycle allowed for slower grape maturation, enhancing flavour development. Near perfect conditions at harvest has resulted in wines that exhibit elegant textures and a generous fruit profile making 2018 a vintage of an exceptional nature that will allow for cellaring.
THE VINEYARD
The Octagon Block is the most established vineyard on the estate with an eclectic soil profile. Spanning over 12 acres, most of the vines sit on glaciofluvial sediments of sandy gravel, known as Danbury Gravel, that accumulated during the last Ice Age, and clay outcrops at the lower, southern end. Clay is renowned for producing powerful wines and gravel pulls in the opposite direction. Planted at low density, the Octagon Block has proven itself capable of producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that are exceptionally rich and complex.
VINIFICATION
The fruit was handpicked and sorted in the vineyard and winery. Grapes received 100% destemming but no crushing to maintain whole berries. Using gravity the grapes were transferred to open-top fermenters for cold soak. Temperatures were allowed to increase naturally, but kept very cool for fermentation. After fermentation, wine was transferred to barrels for MLF, battonage and 18 months ageing. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Barrel aged: 100% French oak for 18 months pH: 3.49 TA: 5.4 g/L Alcohol: 13.5%
TASTING NOTE
The inaugural 888 wine made exclusively from the finest Pinot Noir parcels in the Octagon vineyard on the Danbury Ridge Estate. It autumnal aromatic layers of bramble fruits with cherries and blackberries. The palate has a tight acidity, elegantly balanced with fine tannins and a rich earthiness.
RELEASE DATE: Autumn 2021 • BOTTLES PRODUCED: 888
