Hundred Hills, Oxfordshire
2018 Preamble - £170 per 6 bottle case in bond
2018 Blanc de Blancs - £150 per 3 bottle case in bond
2019 Hillside No. 3 - £225 per 6 bottle case in bond
2019 Blanc de Noirs - £300 per 6 bottle case in bond
To mark English Wine Week from the 15th to 23rd of June, we thought it was an opportune moment to highlight four stunning examples from Hundred Hills, in the Stonor Valley, just outside Henley in Oxfordshire.
Since the very first releases, we have been hugely impressed by the quality of the entire range at Hundred Hills. So, whether you are already familiar with the wines and wish to make a top up order, or you are new to these exceptional wines, this offer is well worth a look.
2018 Preamble, Hundred Hills
£170 per 6 bottle case in bond
The follow up to 2017 Preamble No 2. This is a blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir is the low-yielding 115 clone from an early-ripening parcel near the winery. Only the Chardonnay component went into cask for 2-3 months with some bâtonnage (stirring of the fine lees).
A little more classical than the 2017, which was a touch more exuberant. The 2018 reveals aromas of ripe, juicy Cox’s apple, with hints of nectarine and white peach. Revealing a soft, luxuriant mousse, the fruit is beautifully ripe with an underlying, bright mouth-watering acidity and hints of almond patisserie. The texture of this wine is so appealing, almost satiny, leading to a long, persistent finish that captures almost a zesty, creamy orange note. Not quite as flamboyant as the 2017 but shows the same DNA and a notch ahead in quality. Drink 2021-2025. (SL)
2018 Blanc de Blancs, Hundred Hills
£150 per 3 bottle wooden case in bond
This pure Chardonnay comes from a single plot at the top of the west-facing slope opposite the winery. The base wine spent two to three months in cask with batonnage (stirring of the fine lees).
Pure, scented aromas of white flower, lemon cream and livelier citrus leads to a wonderfully defined palate. There is a delicate nature here, a lightness and precision, but equally a surprising depth and persistence to the fruit. Racy, leesy notes develop on the palate with discreet notes of creamy patisserie and a tell-tale chalky mineral nuance. This is a striking Blanc de Blancs, with very fine balance and wonderful purity. It has that crystalline quality to the fruit, and a certain raciness, but the acidity is so well wound to the core of the wine. Again, a very complete Blanc de Blancs and one that competes well in the wider category. Drink 2022-2029 (SL)
2019 Hillside No. 3, Hundred Hills
£225 per 6 bottle case in bond
The Hillside No. 3 was made from late harvested Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, taken principally from the estate’s south-facing vineyards.
This cuvée reminds me of the 2017 Preamble No. 2 with its ripe, rounded fruit. The nose captures more of a biscuity character to its juicy, orchard fruit. There is a mellowness about this style, with characters of yellow plum and white peach to the fore. It possesses that late harvest signature typical of Hundred Hills, with a broad fruit and a beautifully luxuriant mousse. This is the most opulent style within the range, and finishes with tangy, mouth-watering fruits and hints of creamy, round fruit. So impressive – the ripeness of a healthy late harvest could lead someone astray if tasted blind. Drink now to 2027+ (SL)
2019 Blanc de Noirs, Hundred Hills
£300 per 6 bottle case in bond
The quality of Pinot Noir on the Hillside vineyard showed great quality in the long, dry 2019 vintage, benefiting from over 100 days on the vine, and producing this limited-edition Blanc de Noirs. Aged for 30 months on its lees. 5 grams per litre dosage.
A slightly deeper hue in the glass, the Blanc de Noirs reveals discreet notes of juicy red apple and wild strawberry allied to a touch of fresh mint. Showing fine poise on the palate, these red fruit notes develop with hints of pastry and patisserie, all carried by a fine, luxuriant mousse. The intensity impresses, as does the purity, as the palate leads to a finish that captures stone fruit characters, such as nectarine and peach. There is a certain zestiness to finish too with a marked mineral note leading long into the finish. A glorious example that shows the estate’s finest Pinot Noir. Impeccable. Drink now to 2030. (SL)
