The third release of this awesome Chardonnay, only released in the best vintages.
The fruit was whole-bunch pressed into barrel. After 18 months, a selection was made of the finest lots which were then aged for an additional six months. The lees were stirred once prior to assemblage, and the wine was left to clarify naturally before being bottled unfined an unfiltered.
"From their own vines, planted in 2014, with gravel and sand over clay. Fermented and aged 18 months in oak, 50% new.
Similar style to the straight Chardonnay but it smells deeper, with a light impression of oak spice. More intensity, more grip, still has elegant structure and pure, dry finesse. Chewy and very very good. (JH) 18
Julia Harding JancisRobinson.com
"The 2022 Chardonnay Octagon Block is from the gravelly loam and clay mixture of this single site in Essex. This aged for 18 months in 50-60% new oak and a further half year in stainless steel. There's a creaminess and absolutely lemon-tinged dried corn husk aroma on the nose. The palate tapers totally into freshness, aligned around a core of bright, smooth acidity radiating out against a yeasty backdrop, pitching this as an interesting contrast between richness and austerity." 93pts Anne Krebiehl MW Vinous
"Danbury’s Octagon Block is the most intense, structured expression of Chardonnay at the estate, and the extreme heat and dryness in 2022 has accordingly yielded a wine of some sense of extract and concentration without lacking drive. In fact, this 2022 Chardonnay Octagon Block seems to have held on tightly to a brilliant core of threaded, ripe citrus acidity. With effusive aromas of roasted citrus both—orange and yellow—toasted sourdough bread, nut oil and a kick of umami savor elongating the finish, it feels like a tightly packed wine with the integrity to age for five years with serious interest. It was whole-bunch pressed and fermented and aged on the lees for 18 months in 228-liter used Burgundy barrels." 93pts Tom Hewson The Wine Advocate
