Tasting latest release Danbury Ridge Chardonnay Octagon Block 2022 with winemaker Liam Idzikowski

Описание: Today we are back at Danbury Ridge Winery in Essex with Richard Bampfield MW and winemaker Liam Idzikowski tasting their latest release from their Octagon Block, Chardonnay 2022.

Danbury Ridge was founded by two generations of the Bunker family: Michael and Heather Bunker and, their daughters Janine and Sophie. The first vines were planted in 2014 with a focus on identifying Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones which could best exploit the unique mesoclimate. After just a few seasons the vines were producing grapes of a quality and ripeness previously unknown in the UK.

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. The memory of 2022’s long hot summer will live long in the wines.

Only 2,948 bottles produced.

17.5/20 Jancis Robinson
"Pretty deep straw. Rich but tense nose – rather scrummy! Riper than many white burgundies but with definite freshness and savour. Pretty damned smart. Refreshing hints of tangerine. Already very complete. Sophisticated. I may well be underestimating its active life."