‘17.5 pts Full bottle 1,551 g. Chardonnay from a single vineyard in Crouch Valley, Essex. Hand-picked. Aged in French oak barrels. This is rather exciting for an English Chardonnay. I’d love to taste it blind with a range of cool-climate Chardonnays but I did taste it alongside of Vergelegen’s 2022 Reserve Chardonnay and it was unfalteringly graceful. The most interesting thing was to watch the evolution of this wine from fridge cold to five hours later, all of which it spent on my desk waiting patiently for me to get through 21 Cap Classique sparkling’s. It is beauty, and this is the first thing to say is that the longer you can give it in the glass the better. The second thing is: don’t serve it cold. This wine starts tight, fist clenched, quarry closed. Then it starts to develop, amplify, fruit seeps through the cracks of the minutes of time, and suddenly the glass is suffused with orange juice and light and the craquelure of match smoke. Very, very exciting wine. Could this be one of the best English Chardonnays yet? Time for blind tasting, I think.’

Althorne Estate Chardonnay, 2021

‘A new name to me, this is a hugely exciting Chardonnay from an estate that has a lot of potential. On the nose honeysuckle, green apple, tangerine and lemon with a distinctive mineral and struck match (almost Puligny-esque?) On the palate, crunchy orchard fruit with taught lemon and blood orange, which evolves to peach and fine oatmeal textures. This is both sophisticated and nuanced and has made an incredibly memorable first impression on me.’

Althorne Estate Chardonnay, 2022

'Gently oaked, this combines bright acidity and a light swing with star fruit, honey and autumnal apple’

Althorne Estate Chardonnay, 2021

'I discovered Althorne after being sent a bottle of 2020 by the winemaker, Liam, who was helping out the owner, Bob. It was delicious. This was followed up by two bottles of 2021 in July. I got into the first bottle immediately, as I couldn't wait. I was stunned by the nose and the quality. I suppose I was almost in a state of disbelief as I finished the last sip. Could it really have been that good, from England? And then a couple of weeks later, my parents were visiting. I caught a couple of lobsters from our local beach, and thought this must surely be the wine to open. And, yes, it was every bit as delicious and thrilling at the first bottle. We all loved it. Even my mum, who doesn't like many a Chardonnay, was excited by it. As soon as I'd drunk the second sample bottle, I was in touch with owner, Bob Hollingsbee, making an appointment to see him the following week with three colleagues. It was really incredible to set eyes on this patch of land that is making wine of this quality.'

Althorne Estate Chardonnay, 2021

Bourgogne Pinot Noir, more like a nice village Beaune.  It's lovely, smooth and interesting. It's just so wonderful that it comes from England. It's drinking well now. The tannins are really easy. The acidity is not too high. It will get more complex over the next two years. What a find!'

Althorne Estate Pinot Noir, 2020

'Absolutely stunning. Beautifully crisp and dry with citrus and green apple flavours. Very satisfying to know that such good sparkling wine is made just around the corner.’

Althorne Estate, English Sparkling Wine Classic Cuvee, 2019