Ridgeview Merret-Fitzrovia 2007 - England, West Sussex (1/5/2010)
46% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir, 22% Meunier; 12% abv; 9,5g/l dosage, only 5g/l acidity. Salmon pink. The nose is really lovely though perhaps in a slightly off-beat way. The Pinot aromas are very forward and at the moment completely overshadow the Chardonnay. This smells strongly of soy and damp earth, but also has vibrant, sweet red fruit to counter the savouryness. Elegant mousse. Good crispness despite high dosage and fairly low acid, Though it starts fruit-forward, the finish is steely and pleasantly bracing, perhaps even slightly balsamic: despite the bubbles, it actually seems more like red Burgundy than sparkling wine at the moment which must be why I was a bit surprised yet completely mesmerized by the aromas. Good stuff.
