The CLASSIC 2016 Magnum – Disgorged 2023

Description

This is a triple first for The Grange - our first ever dated vintage, our first ever magnum and now our first ever late-disgorged wine...

There is a theory, cleaved to by most sparkling wine aficionados, that a magnum (twice the volume of a normal bottle) is the perfect size in which to bottle sparkling wine... something about the ratio of wine to lees means that, though it often takes longer to age than in a standard bottle, the way in which it ages in a magnum leads to a wine that is more subtle, more balanced and, ultimately, more delicious.

Every year since 2016 we have put some wine into magnums - either CLASSIC or PINK or sometimes both - and we are going to be releasing these magnums in batches of 100 as and when they become ready. We are keeping the batches small so that we can experiment with different periods of both lees and cork ageing, each of which brings different characteristics to the wine.  We will be closely monitoring their development and, over time, will build a clearer picture of how our wines develop and what treatment suits them best. The upside of this experimentation for you, dear customer, is that as soon as they arrive at a stage we like, we release them...

This late-disgorged CLASSIC magnum is a blend of 65% Chardonnay, 20% Meunier and 15% Pinot Noir from the 2016 harvest. We added 15% reserve wine from 2015 and fermented 14% of the base wines in old oak barrels for texture as much as flavour. 36% of the base wines were put through malolactic fermentation to soften any acidity and then, once the blend was bottled, this version has spent 6 years and 4 months on lees before being disgorged in July 2023. Just 5 months on cork mean that little in the way of oxidation has yet become apparent. We think it's rather lovely as it is, but keeping it for another 5 or so years on cork would pay handsomely...

Tasting Notes

This is fresher and creamier than its earlier disgorged sibling thanks to the extended time on lees. The smooth and creamy palate is reminiscent of delicately poached orchard fruits - apples, pears and quinces and ice-cream. A strong Chardonnay backbone of chalky acidity carries these flavours and leads to a long mineral finish. Generous, fresh and CLASSIC.

Pairs well with

• Scrambled eggs
• Mushrooms on toast
• Hard cheese
• Smoked salmon
• Blinis
• Pasta with a creamy truffle sauce