Today we share my Hampshire Report from my visit there several months back. Hampshire is a budding wine region that continues to build. I have now been visiting Hampshire and tasting wines there for nearly ten years. The overall quality of this region continues to improve year after year. Hampshire is located roughly 50 miles southwest of London. If departing from central London you can take the train to Basingstoke, located roughly 50 or less minutes from many of the wineries. The region sees less rain than most other parts of England and vines are set on chalky and flinty soils that are similar to that in champagne. Soils in this region retains moisture and heat for the vines, and contributes to a vibrant sense of stony and chalky minerality in the wines which are predominantly planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
There were many world-class wines that I tasted. I love the NV Hambledon ‘Premier Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 94) showing amazing weight and texture. Very complex and delicious, check out the 2015 Exton Park ‘Cuvee M. Isaac’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) which is singing at the ten year mark. And not to be outdone the 2017 Hattingley ‘King’s Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 96) was loaded with lemon oil and salty character. Learn more at https://www.vineyardsofhampshire.co.uk/ and here is my 2025 Hampshire Report.
BLACK CHALK
2021 Black Chalk Classic’ Brut Sparkling Wine- Made from 58% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this was given 5.4G/L dosage. Coming from this difficult vintage, this was stored in a small amount of new French oak and spent 22 months on the lees. This offers good freshness with pear and green apple flavors alongside cashew nut and light chalky character. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2021 Black Chalk ‘Wild Rose’ Rose Sparkling Wine- The 2021 Black Chalk ‘Wild Rose’ Rose Sparkling Wine is mainly Pinot Noir (55%) with the remainder Pinot Meunier and 14% Chardonnay. Given 5.3G/L dosage, this shows pretty red florals with strawberry and melon tone on the nose. The palate is very fresh and elegant with delicate red fruits alongside chalky soils. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2020 Black Chalk ‘Paragon’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- The really good 2020 Black Chalk ‘Paragon’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine was given 6 G/L. Lemon rind and sourdough bread combine with hints of honeycomb and white pepper on the nose. The palate is soft and elegant with great minerality and texture. Drink 2025-2033- 92
2020 Black Chalk ‘Inversion’ Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine- Based on the 777 Pinot Noir clone, the 2020 ‘Inversion’ is all Pinot Noir. Coming from this warm vintage, was stored in half neutral oak barrels prior to disgorgement. Flint and quince notes combine with pink grapefruit blossom on the nose. This offers good body and freshness, really coming alive at a warmer temperature. Drink 2025-2033- 92
2023 Black Chalk Rose- Made from mostly Pinot Noir (55%), this was stored in all stainless steel before bottling. Very earthy on the nose with damp soils that connect with faint red fruits. The palate is soft and elegant with light red fruits. Drink 2025-2030- 89
2023 Black Chalk ‘Rumor Has It’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Rumor Has It’ offers pear and pie crust on the nose alongside shades of starfruit. The palate is soft and juicy with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2030- 90
EXTON PARK
NV Exton Park ‘RB 23’ Rose Sparkling Wine- The NV Exton Park Rose is a blend of 23 individual wines and is mainly reserve wines. Mainly Pinot Noir (70%) wth the reminder Pinot Meunier, this was stored on the lees for three years before disgorgement. The gorgeous bouquet delivers red currants and hints of white pepper that combine with strawberry and orange peel. The palate is fresh and lithe with serious tension, showing great wild mushroom and damp earth tones from the reserve wines. This is going to age gracefully for another decade — or more. Drink 2025-2035- 93
NV Exton Park ‘RB 28’ Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine- The NV Exton Park ‘RB 28’ Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine is a limited production wine that is composed of mainly reserve wines. Damp earth and flinty stones combine with shades of honeydew melon and wafts of white truffle shavings. This is dense and nervy stuff that spent four years on the lees, offering light red fruits that mingle brilliantly with the citrus and melon core, offering loads of mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2025-2035- 93
NV Exton Park ‘RB 32’ Brut Sparking Wine- The ‘RB 32’ is mainly Pinot Noir (60%) with the remainder Chardonnay that was stored for five years on the lees before disgorgement in 2024. Chalky soils mingle well with lemon rind, white peach and shades of kiwi on the nose. The palate is refined and very tense with great finesse and loads of chalky soil character. Drink 2025-2035- 93
NV Exton Park ‘RB 45’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- The NV Exton Park ‘RB 45’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine has a small amount of oak influence, as this was given 6 G/L dosage before disgorgement in 2024. Cashew nut combines with brioche and shades of cantaloupe with freshly cut limes on the nose. The palate is fresh and refined with a smooth texture and great sense of mousse. Gorgeous now, this will cellar well for another ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2015 Exton Park ‘Cuvee M. Isaac’ Sparkling Wine- An ultra-complex wine, the 2015 Exton Park ‘Cuvee M. Isaac’ Sparkling Wine is big, burly and heady from this vintage. Very nutty and intense, this offers a great ore of melon and citrus fruits that meld with hints of guava, quince and sourdough bread. A gorgeous wine to consume on its own, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 95
HAMBLEDON
NV Hambledon ‘Classic Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- An amazing effort, the NV Hambedon ‘Classic Cuvee’ Sparking Wine is shining brightly right now. Aged on the lees for 35 months, this combines Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier sourced from South East facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon. Rich and generous on the mouth, the silky mousse entices. Ripe red raspberry and Pink Lady apple fruit flavors mingle well with lemon zest and chalky soils on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91
NV Hambledon Rose Sparkling Wine- Loaded with crunchy red fruits, the NV Hambledon Rose offers bright cranberry, tart cherry and red raspberry notes alongside salty and stony minerals on the palate. With a soft mousse and gobs of great finesse, this is best enjoyed now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 91
NV Hambledon ‘Premier Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- The NV ‘Premier Cuvee’ combines wines that are stored 7-8 years on the lees before disgorgement in 2022. Mainly Chardonnay from their estate vineyard, this has a base from 2014, and was given 2.5 G/L dosage. This is big and rich with a beautiful mouthfeel and finesse. Dense melon and citrus fruits combine with shades of cranberry and baking spice laced pastry crust. Gorgeous and very racy right now, with excellent weight and chalky character, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94
NV Hambledon ‘Blanc de Blancs Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- The NV Hambledon ‘Blanc de Blancs Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine is a recent release and is the first Blanc de Blancs made from this house. With a base of 2018, and 3.2G/L dosage, this spent more than three years on the lees and a year on cork before release. Lemon blossom and shades of salted French bread mark the nose alongside kumquat zest. The palate is fresh and lithe, with great polish and a good sense of weight. Drink 2025-2032- 92
HATTINGLEY VALLEY
NV Hattingley Valley ‘Classic Reserve’ Sparkling Wine- The NV Hattingley Valley ‘Classic Reserve’ Sparkling Wine was given 5.5G/L dosage that utilizes roughly 30% reserves wines. This utilizes the base vintage of 2019 and is roughly 50% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This is soft and smooth on the mousse, loaded with melon and citrus fruits, with a touch of guava. Bright and silky, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2020 Hattingley Valley Rose Sparkling Wine- The 2020 Rose is mainly Pinot Noir (60%) with the remainder Pinot Meunier and a touch of Pinot Noir Precoce. Orange blossom and cranberry mark the nose alongside shades of Yakima cherry. The palate is mineral-laden and fresh with great damp earth and loads of freshness with tart red fruits. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2018 Hattingley Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- All Chardonnay, the 2018 Blanc de Blancs was given 6G/L dosage and was disgorged at the end of 2024. A small amount was fermented in French oak before aging on the lees for seven years. On the nose this takes on lemon curd and beautiful white rose petals alongside chalky soils. The palate is full and round with beautiful finesse and chalky character. Showing serious depth and concentration, this is a stunning wine from a great vintage. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2017 Hattingley ‘King’s Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- The 2017 ‘King’s Cuvee’ combines 45% Chardonnay with 28% Pinot Meunier and the remainder Pinot Noir. The wine is a barrel selection blend that was given 4.4G/L dosage. Toasted hazelnuts and shades of salted peach combine with honeydew melon and pastry crust. This is a stunning wine that is very dense and nervy, with loads of lemon oil and salted nut character. This is going to age gracefully for over a decade. Drink 2025-2040- 96
LOUIS POMMERY ENGLAND
NV Louis Pommery England Brut Sparkling Wine- Sourced from their Pinglestone estate, this is primarily Chardonnay (55%) with smaller portions Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Aged on the lees for 18 months before disgorgement this was given 7G/L dosage. Brioche and toasted apple al fill the nose alongside shades of kumquat rind. The palate shows great salty and chalky soil character with serous tension. This is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2031- 91
NV Louis Pommery England Rose Sparkling Wine- The NV Louis Pommery England Rose is mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their Pinglestone estate. Also given 7G/L this was aged on the lees for 18 months before bottling, this utilizes a base from 2022. This shows nice astringency, loaded with tart red fruits that connect well with orange peel, white grapefruit skin and suggestions of salted French bread. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2020 Louis Pommery England Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- Coming from the 2020 vintage, conditions were superb this vintage, with a frost in mid-May. Nutty accents combine with pie crust and baking spices alongside shades of guava on the nose. The palate is broad-shouldered and generous with great weight and underlying finesse. 7G/L dosage, aged on the lees for 42 months before bottling. Drink 2025-2033- 93
THE GRANGE
NV The Grange ‘Pink’ Rose Sparkling Wine- Based on the 2020 vintage, the NV The Grange ‘Pink’ Rose Sparkling Wine offers orange blossom and barberry on the nose alongside suggestions of pink rose petals. The palate is fresh, showing beautiful finesse and great sense of weight. Outstanding and elegant, this is drinking beautifully right now, loaded with mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2018 The Grange ‘White From White’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- This outstanding Blanc de Blanc bottling was made at Hambledon Vineyards and spent four years on the lees and a year on cork, given 12 G/L dosage. Soft on the mouth, this has a silky mousse. Ripe melon and starfruit tones combine with white flowers and suggestions of white peach on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2020 The Grange ‘White From Blanc’ Pinot Meunier Sparkling Wine- The gorgeous 2020 The Grange ‘White From Blanc’ Pinot Meunier Sparkling Wine was given 12G/L dosage. This shows marvelous poise, offering rich kumquat rind alongside suggestions of chalky soils, nectarine and shades of ginger. Loaded with freshness and length, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2023 The Grange Chardonnay- One of the few still Chardonnays from this region, the 2023 Chardonnay offers baking spices alongside white peach and white flowers on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with good elegance. Drink 2025-2031- 90