Exton Park, RB 32 Brut Reserve, Nv - Half-bottle
Exton Park, RB 32 Brut Reserve, Nv - Half-bottle
- Sparkling
- 37.5CL
- 11.5%
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
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A refreshing sparkling wine and a perfect expression of Exton Park’s unique chalky terroir. Made from a blend of 60% Blanc de Pinot Noir and 40% of Chardonnay wines from several years, this is a delightful wine that works great not only as an aperitif but also paired with salmon, white meat, and even raspberry cake.
This non-vintage cuvée is designed for immediate enjoyment, showing its best fruit and freshness now until 2030. The blend of reserve wines provides some complexity that will integrate further over the next two years, developing more brioche and nutty characteristics. The chalk minerality will remain prominent throughout its drinking window, though the primary citrus freshness will gradually soften into more honeyed flavours.
What the critics say:
"Whole wheat toast and hazelnuts, with pomelo and flinty aromas lead to a taught palate with fine bubbles and intense concentration of flavour "
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with persistent fine bubbles forming a delicate mousse.
NoseToasted brioche and hazelnut emerge first, followed by bright pomelo and chalk dust minerality. The blend of reserve wines adds complexity with subtle honeyed depth beneath the fresh citrus aromatics.
PalateTaut and focused with intense concentration, the chalk terroir providing backbone to flavours of whole wheat toast and citrus pith. Fine bubbles carry the wine across the palate with precision, balancing the richness from Pinot Noir with Chardonnay's mineral drive.
FinishClean and persistent with lingering chalky minerality and a touch of brioche richness.
Overall impressionA refined expression of Hampshire's chalk downland terroir with impressive depth for a non-vintage cuvée.
Food Pairings
Hampshire's chalk downland cuisine traditionally features fresh river trout and watercress from the county's clear chalk streams, both excellent companions to local sparkling wines. Game from the surrounding countryside, particularly partridge and venison, pairs beautifully with the wine's earthy undertones. Local cheeses like Winchester and Tunworth complement the chalky minerality, while the county's renowned asparagus during spring season creates classic pairings with the wine's fresh acidity.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well chilled at 6-8°C in flute or tulip-shaped glasses to concentrate the aromatics and showcase the fine bubble structure. No decanting required - open just before serving to preserve the mousse. The half-bottle format is ideal for intimate occasions or as a perfect aperitif for two.
The vineyard sits on pure chalk downland in the Hampshire countryside, part of the geological formation that connects with Champagne's famous terroir. The south-facing slopes benefit from excellent drainage and mineral-rich soils that impart a distinctive flinty character. The maritime climate provides the necessary acidity retention while allowing for optimal ripening of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
English sparkling wine has gained international recognition for its quality, particularly from vineyards planted on the chalk downs of southern England. The cool climate and chalk soils mirror those of Champagne, producing wines with fine acidity and mineral precision. Hampshire's protected valleys offer ideal microclimates for premium sparkling wine production, with strict quality standards emerging among the leading producers.
FAQs
What makes English sparkling wine comparable to Champagne?
The chalk soils of southern England are part of the same geological formation as Champagne, providing similar mineral character and drainage. The cool climate allows for extended ripening while retaining crucial acidity levels essential for premium sparkling wine.
How is RB 32 different from vintage English sparkling wines?
RB 32 is a non-vintage cuvée blending wines from multiple years with reserve wines, creating consistency and complexity. This approach allows the winemaker to balance different harvest characteristics while maintaining the house style across different releases.
Why choose a half-bottle format?
Half-bottles are perfect for intimate occasions, ensuring the wine is consumed at peak freshness with optimal effervescence. They're also ideal for trying premium wines without committing to a full bottle, particularly useful for aperitifs or when serving multiple sparkling wines.
How long will this wine keep once opened?
Sparkling wine loses its effervescence quickly once opened. Use a proper sparkling wine stopper and refrigerate immediately - it should retain reasonable bubbles for 24-48 hours, though it's best consumed within the first few hours of opening.
What does the '60% Blanc de Pinot Noir' mean?
Blanc de Pinot Noir means white wine made from the red Pinot Noir grape, with the juice separated from the skins immediately to prevent colour extraction. This provides structure and body to the blend, while the 40% Chardonnay contributes elegance and mineral precision.
Is this wine suitable for cellaring?
This non-vintage cuvée is designed for current consumption rather than long-term cellaring. While it will remain pleasant until 2030, it's best enjoyed now to appreciate its fresh fruit character and lively acidity at their peak.
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