Balfour Leslie’s Reserve Brut NV is a truly exceptional sparkling wine. It stands as a vibrant testament to the world-class quality of traditional method English sparkling wine from Balfour Winery on the Hush Heath Estate in Kent. This wine reflects the vision of co-founder Leslie Balfour-Lynn, aiming to create a fresh, fruit-forward, and accessible “English fizz.” The Kent region’s unique terroir is key. Its clay and greensand soils, combined with a mild, long growing season, create ideal conditions. This allows the classic Champagne varietals (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, plus a touch of Pinot Gris) to achieve a remarkable balance of ripeness and vibrant natural acidity. This multi-vintage wine highlights Balfour’s signature style: elegant purity and focus.
Character Description
The Balfour Leslie’s Reserve Brut NV enchants with a brilliant, pale gold hue and a fine, persistent stream of bubbles. The aromatic bouquet offers layered notes of fresh green apple, citrus zest, and delicate lime. These intertwine with complex undertones of savory brioche, toasted almond, and a subtle, inviting spice derived from the Pinot Gris. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and exquisitely structured, featuring a wonderfully crisp texture. It showcases concentrated citrus and orchard fruit flavors, complemented by a delicate yeastiness. A vibrant, fresh acidity provides superb backbone and ensures a long, clean focus. The finish is long and refreshing, leaving a lasting impression of purity, minerality, and the classical elegance of top English sparkling wine.
Perfect Pairings
This distinguished English sparkling wine is a superb companion for a wide range of seafood and light, fresh dishes. Its elegant purity and vibrant acidity complement many meals. It pairs beautifully with fresh oysters, classic fish and chips, grilled scallops, or light canapés. Its crispness and subtle toasty notes also suit fresh, creamy goat cheese or a mild, unaged cheddar. Consider dishes with fresh herbs, lemon, or a light cream sauce. This wine is superb as a celebratory apéritif or for pairing with a sophisticated lunch.
About the Winery
Balfour Winery, located on the beautiful Hush Heath Estate in Kent, stands as a trailblazer in English winemaking. Founded by Richard and Leslie Balfour-Lynn, the estate is committed to low-intervention, sustainable viticulture across its clay and greensand soils. Their vision is to produce wines of exceptional quality, recognized globally. Their commitment to tradition—using the méthode traditionnelle—while incorporating innovative techniques has earned them international acclaim. Leslie’s Reserve Brut is a key expression in their portfolio, representing their dedication to crafting world-class, focused sparkling wines from the heart of the “Garden of England.”