This year we will be drinking Castlewood from an array of vintages.
Our classic Brut Reserve is predominantly ’20, ‘21 vintages. Using reserve wines from these vastly differing vintages helps build complexity to the blend and a subtlety that only age can bring.
Vintage sparkling wines include our 2020 Blanc de Blanc and 2021 Rose Brut.
Still wines include 2021 Rose, 2022 Devon Minnow and the long awaited release of Artefact 2022.
2020 was a beautiful summer of record breaking growing degree days. Yields were just above average which lead to very balanced fruit in terms of sugar content and acidity. A great year for Chardonnay, which allowed us to develop an age-worthy Blanc de Blanc in barrel prior to bottling for secondary fermentation.
2021 started cold with budburst taking place towards the end of April. Yields were modest, which we were thankful of as ripening would have been tricky with more fruit on the vine. Harvest started at the beginning of October, just prior to the Atlantic lows really taking hold. Resultant wines are crisp, and very true to their cool climate varietal characteristics.
2022 was a drought year, early April budburst and consistent warm dry weather throughout. Powdery Mildew pressure was high but open canopies, low yields and small bunches helped keep the disease away. Very high sugars and low yields ensued resulting in incredibly concentrated ripe grapes and very exciting wines.