Domaine Hugo Botleys Col Fondo
Country: England
Region: Wiltshire
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Gris
Vintage: 2022
Hugo Stuart farmed pigs down at Botley's Farm near Downton in Wiltshire until the early 2000s when he decided to embark on a new adventure in France. He teamed up with Paul Old (Project 108) in the Languedoc to create Les Clos Perdus which worked well for him for 12 years. After seeing the potential of English wines he decided to return back to his family's farm to plant vines in 2015 and farming meticulously using biodynamic methods. Hugo was joined in 2018 by Daniel Ham of Offbeat, who suggested building a winery and the pair now makes a traditional method sparkling wine as well as a Col Fondo, with Hugo concentrating on viticulture and Daniel on the winemaking.
This year's edition has its base wine from the sun-kissed 2022 vintage, bottled and sparked with the freshly fermenting juice of the 2023 vintage. No disgorgement, no additions. Soft, pretty and elegant with light pithy citrus and lovely toasty-brioche depth.