The Seville Estate Blanc de Blancs is an aperitif style, dry sparkling crafted from 100% estate grown Chardonnay. Made in the traditional manner (Méthode Traditionelle) with a zero-sugar dosage (Brut Nature), this Blanc de Blancs expresses vibrancy and freshness upon release with complex brioche characters on the nose and palate. A perfect option to commence occasions, toast a milestone, or to enjoy next to classic food pairings such as oysters or fish and chips. It will continue to evolve with careful cellaring.
Good rainfall through winter and early spring ensured that our nutrient rich soils were full of water, leading to a period of average rainfall through the later months of 2018 and then a dry summer. The season was reminiscent of 2016, warm and with high fruit yields. Thankfully canopies were well established, helping to protect our bunches. Overall, it was a good vintage to be in our elevated and secluded pocket of the Upper Yarra, where we were able to control fruit ripening to ensure complex flavour development.
Fruit was handpicked early in the morning into small buckets (with bunch selection done in the vineyard). We whole bunch pressed the juice and sent it straight to tank. With only a light racking to ensure most solids are included in the primary fermentation, the juice was transferred to seasoned French oak puncheons, where it remained on lees for 12 months. Following the traditional method, the wine was then tiraged and sent to bottle for secondary fermentation. It stayed on lees for 36 months before disgorgement with a zero-sugar dosage.
Bright and lifted, the wine immediately offers a basket of fresh citrus; grapefruit pith, lemon rind, a spritz of mandarin peel. Further layers reveal lemon oil and frangipani. There’s creaminess and biscotti-ness on the edge of it all, conjuring images of Peach Melba and Galettes Bretonnes butter biscuits.
The palate follows a similar theme, with the delicate mousse allowing vibrant yellow citrus flavours to immediate permeate and dominate. The succeeding course delivers soft notes of almond croissant and lemon shortcake that linger long after the bubbles subside. Will age gracefully through to 2028 and beyond. Drink 2025 – 2028+
Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion - 92 points
Disgorged after five years on lees and with zero dosage. A bright gold with green tinges. From a warmer year, aromas of stone fruits and baked goods lead onto the gently creamy, balanced and ready-to-go palate
