SIMPSONS WINE ESTATE 'Gravel Castle' Chardonnay Kent 2022 Bottle/st VEG/VGN

Description

Charles and Ruth Simpson have been making award-winning wines in the South of France since 2002. In 2012, attracted by the quality of the terroir and the opportunity to become part of one of the most dynamic wine producing regions in the world, they brought their expertise back to the UK, establishing Simpsons Wine Estate. Aspiring to produce the finest quality English wine, they gradually planted 30 hectares of vineyards on the iconic chalk terroir of the North Downs and built a state-of-the-art winery. They are members of Sustainable Wines of Great Britain. In 2016, the Simpsons saw their first harvest. With a strong focus on provenance, they produce a highly acclaimed range of exclusively estate-grown still and sparkling wines, including the Chalklands Classic Cuvée 2016, which won a gold medal in the 2019 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships.

The winemaking methods promote the purest expression of fruit and the Kentish terroir, with as little intervention as possible. The grapes from Burgundian Chardonnay clones 96 and 548 were carefully harvested, gently pressed and the juice was cold settled for 24 hours. Once racked, the juice was inoculated with aromatic yeasts. The wine underwent full malolactic conversion to soften the acidity and increase mouthfeel. The wine was aged on fine lees prior to bottling in spring.

This delightful Chardonnay displays delicate aromas of white melon and orange blossom, with superb mouth-watering minerality, citrus peel, quince and fresh green apple flavours and a lingering, textured palate.