Sugrue South Downs Cuvée Boz Blanc de Blancs

The ultimate expression of English Chardonnay on South Downs chalk. Made in tiny quantities, only in exceptional vintages, by one of the country's most celebrated winemakers.

A 750ml bottle of single-vineyard English sparkling Blanc de Blancs, made by Dermot and Ana Sugrue at their boutique winery in East Sussex. The fruit comes entirely from Mount Harry — Sugrue's "Grand Cru" vineyard, planted in 2006 on south-facing chalk above the East Sussex Downs, and farmed organically at soil level.

100% Chardonnay. Whole-bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation, preserving the wine's piercing acidity and chalk-driven mineral edge. Bottled in July 2021. Aged on lees for more than four years before disgorgement in November 2024. Dosage of 5 g/L — bone-dry by anyone's measure.

Pale gold in the glass. Fine, persistent mousse. On the nose: ripe red apple, yuzu, white peach, with a light biscuit layer earned in the cellar. On the palate: piercing acid, textural richness, apple blossom, faint passion flower, hints of brioche and biscuit dough. The finish is pristine — long, lemony, soaring. This is a wine of intensity and purity.

Bottled at 12% ABV. Vegan-friendly.

Dermot Sugrue is the winemaker who put Nyetimber on the world map between 2003 and 2007, before establishing the Wiston Estate cellar and finally devoting himself full-time to Sugrue South Downs. The cuvée is named after his late brother, Barry Ben Sugrue — affectionately known as Boz.

The 2015 vintages won Best Blanc de Blancs at the WineGB Awards twice, plus an IWC Gold Medal. Critic Neal Martin scored an earlier release 94 points and called it "one of the best English sparkling wines I have tasted." The 2020 is widely considered Sugrue's finest Blanc de Blancs to date.

For Dover sole meunière. For lobster, for sushi, for scallops. For laying down — the wine has at least a decade of life ahead.

75cl. Please drink responsibly.