Harrow and Hope Blanc de Blancs 2020

Harrow & Hope was founded in 2010 by Henry & Kaye Laithwaite with a 6.5 hectare vineyard, one plot on the Thames gravel terrace, formed by the river cutting into the Chilterns chalk around 450,000 years ago. Today their soils are a complex layer of clay, flint and gravel suited to Pinot Noir and lower down the South facing slope the clay layer gets thinner before the pure chalk, home to Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. In 2020 they made the commitment to convert their vineyards to organic farming, focussing on bringing the very best fruit to the winery, where Henry uses a “light touch” approach. Widely praised by consumers and press, this is one of England’s top sparkling producers, their wines show precision, purity and expressive varietal character.

"I proclaimed to the team when this went into bottle that it could be one of the best wines we’ve ever done…and they keep reminding me of this statement! 2020 was our first year trialling organics and the season produced a small but incredibly ripe and concentrated level of fruit. Combine this with our developing winery techniques of wild yeast fermentation in barrel and minimal use of sulphur, we started to see a purity coming through in the wines that we had never seen before. Although still in its infancy, this wine is already showing signs of toasty elegance combined with soft ripe fruit, but it’s the freshness that makes me think it will live a long and beautiful life." - Henry Laithwaite

Weather in 2020: Mild spring temperatures resulted in budburst at the start of April. Shoot development was favourable through the early part of the season with warm temperatures creating steady growth towards flowering, which began in early June. Completion of flowering by end of June set us up well for a mid to late September start to harvest. Weather during ripening remained dry and ideal temperatures allowed for near perfect build of sugar levels and flavour profiles. Harvest commenced at the end of September and was complete by early October.

Technical Information:
Vineyard: New Block
Region: Chiltern Hills near Marlow
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Lees Ageing: 3 Years
Total Acidity: 8.4 g/l
Dosage: 8.1 g/l
Bottling date: 11th May 2021
Disgorged: 30th May 2024
Fermentation: 50% in 500-litre oak puncheons
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: Oranges and nectarine, clementine and mirabelle. There is a lode line of something savoury, roasted hazelnuts and creamed oats, perhaps, but it is so drenched in the glory of fruit that it's easy to miss. Even so, the precision of the structure is spine-tingling. This tastes as if it might go on forever. Very, very exciting. - Tasted by Tamlyn Currin