As I walked the vineyard in the pouring rain I was amazed that this area produces wine. It was a hugely wet and damp February morning in Hampshire. My colleague and I had traveled the 90 minute trek from Central London to arrive in the British countryside. Hattingley Valley is a family owned business located in Hampshire specializing in premium English sparkling wines. Simon Robinson founded Hattingley Valley in 2008, planting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in his 24 hectacre vineyard (60 acres). With help from the talented Emma Rice they established their winery in 2010. Wines are fermented using a small portion of of oak barrels wit the remainder stainless steel. Winemaker Emma Rice studied at Plumpton College and has worked in winemaking from Tasmania to California. I met her for the first time more than a year ago at a conference in Oregon and I was very glad to coordinate with her my visit to Hattingley. Emma’s first release was in 2013 and they export their wines to 16 countries worldwide.
I was very impressed with the latest set of Hattingley releases. These wines show a common thread of wonderfully chalky terroir. A really good value, the NV Hattingley Valley ‘Classic Reserve’ Brut Sparkling Wine (WWB, 90) shows really good range and a racy acidity. This would make a marvelous aperitif. The best wine that I sampled was the 2014 Hattingley Valley Rose Sparkling Wine (WWB, 92) which has really good mid-palate weight and a brilliant salinity that combines with the tart red fruits. Learn more about this outstanding English producer of sparkling wine at https://www.hattingleyvalley.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Hattingley Valley.
NV Hattingley Valley ‘Classic Reserve’ Brut Sparkling Wine- Founded in 2008 by Simon and Nicola Robinson, Hattingley Valley is located in Hampshire, England and is set on chalky soils The ‘Classic Reserve’ is a blend of several vintage wines (18% reserve wines) and opens with biscuit aromas with lemon zest and shades of salted Marcona almond. The palate unveils a lovely mouthfeel as brisk acidity and salinity races through pear, wet stone and kumquat flavors. Drink 2019-2025- 90
2011 Hattingley Valley ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The 2011 Blanc de Blancs by Hattingley Valley shows a vibrant hue and opens with sourdough bread, kumquat and shades of forest floor that fill the nose. The palate shows good astringency and weight with bright lemon oil, nectarine rind and green apple torte flavors. Bright and lively, this racy, saline-infused Chardonnay Sparkling Wine will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 91
2014 Hattingley Valley Rose Sparkling Wine- The Hattingley Valley 2014 Rose is a seriously good blend of 60% Pinot Noir with smaller portions Pinot Meunier and Pinot Precoce. A brilliant salmon color, this opens with a bright bouquet of red currant, wild mushroom and shades of lemongrass that build on the nose. The palate shows good balance and mid-palate weight with beautiful teaberry, cran-orange and toasted brioche flavors that combine marvelously as this finished with a polished salinity. Seriously good now, this will continue to evolve over a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2015 Hattingley Valley ‘Blanc de Noir’ Sparkling Wine- Enjoyed in the British Airways Concorde Room, the 2015 Hattingley Valley ‘Blanc de Noir’ Sparkling Wine is an outstanding effort from this warmer vintage in Hampshire. The richness and soft texture of the wine gives way to rich Gala apple, toasty brioche and lighter nutty and wild mushroom tones. With a lovely mousse, this is a complete wine by the talented Emma Rice. Drink 2020-2030- 92