Hambledon is England’s oldest commercial vineyard, planted in 1952 on the south-east-facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down in Hampshire. The Classic Cuvée is made exclusively from the estate’s own fruit.

This release is based on the sunny 2020 vintage, with a little more Chardonnay than usual (57%), 12% reserve wine from the estate’s solera and a minimum of 39 months on lees. Textured and rounded: the chalk shows in creamy Chardonnay notes leading to apricot, nectarine and peach, with subtle autolytic character. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier arrive on the finish, adding grip and a stone-fruit nuttiness.

Blend: 57% Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Noir, 15% Pinot Meunier
Ageing: minimum 39 months on lees
Dosage: 4.5 g/l
Drinking: ready now, or cellar for 12 to 24 months