2014 Ridgeview Blanc de Noirs

Tasted blind in a comparison of champagne and English sparkling wine. 68% Pinot Noir, 32% Pinot Meunier. Mid gold. A hint of something candified on the nose. Rather raw and aggressive mousse and acidity. Plus some unintegrated sweetness. Perhaps this is simply too young? Oddly, this tastes like fizzy wine rather than champagne. (JR)

The 2014 Blanc de Noirs has a burnished pale straw hue with a vibrant mousse. The bouquet is a knockout mixture of hazelnut, smoke and citric fruit, all wonderfully delineated; light leesy aromas emerge with extended aeration. The well-balanced palate features red apples, orange zest and light morello cherry notes, its concentration offset by a beautifully judged line of acidity. This is a very accomplished Blanc de Noirs from Ridgeview.