December 23, 2022
Richard Bampfield MW, Henry Laithwaite, Harrow & Hope Founder and Nick Baker, review and taste the latest release of Blanc de Noirs 2018 Harrow and Hope Blanc de Noirs Meunier 2019
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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 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.
Being quite central and away from the coast the vineyard experiences high summer day temperatures with cooler nights that preserve precious acidity.
Fermentation: 85% of this wine was fermented in stainless steel to preserve the unique aromatic qualities of this variety. The rest was fermented in a 500 litre oak puncheon to build structure and length. This release is 100% Meunier and is the first time its been created by Harrow & Hope.
Weather: 2019 was quite a bizarre year that had a lot of heat, but also a lot of rain at times, especially at harvest. This seemed to favour the early ripening Pinot Noir and Meunier, which we got in before the rain and whose characters dominate the style of our 2019 wines. In that sense it has a number of similarities to 2015 which was another great Pinot year.
Technical Information:
Region: Chiltern Hills near Marlow
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Meunier
Fermentation: 15% Barrel Fermentation
Lees Ageing: 34 months
Disgorged: 9th March 2023
Total Acidity: 6.8 g/l
Residual Sugar: 5.6 g/l
Tasting Note: This is a naturally soft and elegant wine with a subtle floral nose but also has a savory, saline edge. The palate has a moreish quality because of the soft acid profile and elegant almost feather light feel, with the saline finish really drawing you back to have another glass.
Being quite central and away from the coast the vineyard experiences high summer day temperatures with cooler nights that preserve precious acidity.
Fermentation: 85% of this wine was fermented in stainless steel to preserve the unique aromatic qualities of this variety. The rest was fermented in a 500 litre oak puncheon to build structure and length. This release is 100% Meunier and is the first time its been created by Harrow & Hope.
Weather: 2019 was quite a bizarre year that had a lot of heat, but also a lot of rain at times, especially at harvest. This seemed to favour the early ripening Pinot Noir and Meunier, which we got in before the rain and whose characters dominate the style of our 2019 wines. In that sense it has a number of similarities to 2015 which was another great Pinot year.
Technical Information:
Region: Chiltern Hills near Marlow
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Meunier
Fermentation: 15% Barrel Fermentation
Lees Ageing: 34 months
Disgorged: 9th March 2023
Total Acidity: 6.8 g/l
Residual Sugar: 5.6 g/l
Tasting Note: This is a naturally soft and elegant wine with a subtle floral nose but also has a savory, saline edge. The palate has a moreish quality because of the soft acid profile and elegant almost feather light feel, with the saline finish really drawing you back to have another glass.
