This wine expresses layers of zesty citrus aromas, honeysuckle and nougat. The palate is creamy and full bodied, showing a focused aciidty and well-integrated oak. The generous weight and long lingering finish lend to its status as a 888 wine.

The Octagon Block is the most established vineyard on the estate with an eclectic soil profile. Spanning over 12 acres, most of the vines sit on glaciofluvial sediments of sandy gravel, known as Danbury Gravel.

While most UK estates look to Reims and Epernay for inspiration, scaling their activities and ambitions to compete with the vast brands of the Marne, the focus at Danbury Ridge is directed toward grower Champagnes and the small domaines of Burgundy.

Now, just a few vintages into the project, and that early aspiration is being realised: Danbury Ridge is bottling wines that critics have already favourably compared to some of the finest addresses in Burgundy, Oregon and cool climate, New Zealand.

The first vines were planted in 2014 with an unwavering focus on still Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones to exploit the unique mesoclimate. After just a few seasons the vines were producing grapes of a ripeness previously unseen in the UK.

"Just bottled before the 2022 harvest. To be released in 2023.
A bit richer on the nose than the regular Chardonnay but very much a relative of it. Lemon and pineapple nose. Real grip here. A bit denser and more complex. But it’s not there yet. Lots going on underneath. Drink to 2030.
17+ points."
(Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com, December 2022)