Ridgeview Cavendish Brut 2014

An alluring whiff of fern accompanies notions of ripe, red apple on the nose, while a touch of white pepper adds spice. The palate shows a very fine mousse that brings crisp red-apple freshness to the fore. This wine still seems young and taut, brimming with freshness in front of a rather reticent backdrop. Give this wine some bottle age and its apple splendor will develop. The finish is clean and lip-smacking.

The 2014 Cavendish is an equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. It has a well defined bouquet, terse at first but soon opening up with limestone and green apple scents. The palate is fresh and saline on the entry with well judged acidity, plenty of green apple and pear with satisfying persistence on the finish. Perhaps not quite as engaging as the NV Bloomsbury, nevertheless this is a fine English sparkler.