Today we are back at Danbury Ridge Winery in Essex with Richard Bampfield MW and winemaker Liam Idzikowski tasting their first sparkling wine Danbury Ridge Solstice 1st Edition.
Danbury Ridge was founded by two generations of the Bunker family: Michael and Heather Bunker and, their daughters Janine and Sophie. The first vines were planted in 2014 with a focus on identifying Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones which could best exploit the unique mesoclimate. After just a few seasons the vines were producing grapes of a quality and ripeness previously unknown in the UK.
Solstice is a multi-vintage blend of barrel-fermented Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier, a proportion of which passes through the perpetual solera. The label was designed by Sophie Bunker and her father Michael penned the “Solstice” script and a conscious decision was taken not to include a wasteful foil.
17.5+/20 Nick Baker TFB Founder
“Super concentrated dried citrus dominate the aromatics, with hints of ripe peach, the flavours broaden on the palate with a core of bitter dried orange really dominating, some hints of chocolate and coffee come out with a little time. Delicious, I really admire the gently mousse, smooth velvety texture and although there is plenty of acidity the texture and fruit intensity soften its impact. Very much a sparkling to enjoy with foods; this will be super interesting to watch as a new blend will come out about every 12 months, the future editions having more Chardonnay. There is something very relaxing about Solstice’s personality, its like its laid back in its favourite comfy leather chair!”
“Super concentrated dried citrus dominate the aromatics, with hints of ripe peach, the flavours broaden on the palate with a core of bitter dried orange really dominating, some hints of chocolate and coffee come out with a little time. Delicious, I really admire the gently mousse, smooth velvety texture and although there is plenty of acidity the texture and fruit intensity soften its impact. Very much a sparkling to enjoy with foods; this will be super interesting to watch as a new blend will come out about every 12 months, the future editions having more Chardonnay. There is something very relaxing about Solstice’s personality, its like its laid back in its favourite comfy leather chair!”
17/20 Jancis Robinson
“Deep golden straw colour. Really quite a rich, ripe nose of stewed apricots that’s slightly at odds with the high acidity on the palate but it certainly makes a statement! Markedly gentle bead. Bone-dry finish. Dosage (5 g/l in the sample I tasted in September 2022) is well judged. No hint of excess sweetness. Well done!”
“Deep golden straw colour. Really quite a rich, ripe nose of stewed apricots that’s slightly at odds with the high acidity on the palate but it certainly makes a statement! Markedly gentle bead. Bone-dry finish. Dosage (5 g/l in the sample I tasted in September 2022) is well judged. No hint of excess sweetness. Well done!”
