Albourne Estate Blanc de Noirs 2018

Albourne Estate Blanc de Noirs 2018 has replaced the 2016 vintage and it is in the same terrific style. This “white of blacks” is made from selected, hand-picked Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes using the highest quality cuveé to create a sparkling wine with a smooth texture, delicious creaminess and a captivating balance of freshness and fruit.

This beautifully poised, vintage sparkling wine, has had 6 years on its lees; far longer than most English Sparkling Wines or Champagnes and we think you will love this amazing, elegant Fizz and the bargain price from us. It’s sales have exceeded our expectations!

It really reveals itself with expressive, complex aromas of stone fruits together with hints of bitter orange and brioche. The layer of flavours are equally complex and refined, including nutty notes of marzipan, almonds and biscuit.  It has a wonderful mouthfeel, superb balance and a persistent mousse; this wine will have you coming back for more!

This Sparkling wine from West Sussex, is the equal of superior Blanc de Noirs Champagne. With several years of bottle age Albourne Estate Blanc de Noirs shows how English Sparkling wines keep well and improve with age.

The hint of rose colour comes from gentle pressing Pinot Noir  and Pinot Meunier grapes, coupled with extended on-lees ageing, this has created a rich, smooth and complex Sparkling Wine with mature, autolytic character.

It takes time to make great Fizz!

Alison’s back labels have a surprising amount of detail. The full history of the wine is there – from the picking dates, bottling date, disgorgement date and the number of bottles produced – enabling everyone to learn, enjoy and understand more about the complex and fascinating process of producing top quality, bottle fermented Sparkling Wines.

We should not be surprised that English Sparkling Wines are – as good as, and – similarly priced to good, vintage Champagnes, as they are produced using the same traditional method of bottle fermentation. They have an extended period of ‘on-lees’ ageing; in this case 60 months.

The grapes were picked on 14 and 15 October 2018 and fermented into still wine, bottled on 16 June 2019 to undergo its secondary fermentation in the bottle and finally disgorged 0n 12 August 2025. A significant amount of work goes into the production of ‘method champenoise” wines, and you can tell the difference!!  Only 1,240 bottles produced of this stunning Fizz; don’t delay, buy now!

About the Presentation

Albourne Estate are very keen to reduce their carbon footprint. They have taken the decision to remove the foil and neck label from their Sparkling Wines.  It serves purely a decorative function and adds significant carbon emissions to their packaging footprint so they felt their wines could go with out it.   We hope you agree.

About this West Sussex Vineyard

Albourne Estate has just under 11 hectares (30 acres) in gently rolling hills, near Hassocks in West Sussex, with stunning views to the Devils Dyke. The vineyards were planted in 2010 when Alison Nightingale (co-owner) finally found the site she had been looking for which ticked all the boxes to provide excellent drainage, low frost risk and maximum sun exposure, critical factors in achieving successful vine growth and grape ripeness at this northerly latitude. 2013 was their first vintage.

Alison’s decision in the early 2000s to leave her high-flying corporate role to spend more time with her young family, was a wise decision and despite all the challenges of growing vines in our marginal climate, her decision has been vindicated in the production of great quality wines.

Albourne Estate Blanc de Noirs retails at £36.95 – check out our competitive price.