Sidewood Chloe Cuvée 2013

From Sidewood’s museum comes this 11-years-on-lees, late-disgorged, traditional method wine that tells us a lot about the Hills winery’s long-term devotion to high-class Sparklings. The grape mix in the Chloe is always Chardonnay led, and in this delightfully subtle wine the varietal fruit expression is still pure and clearly focused. Aged autolysis notes have matured now into a subtle undertone, while the palate washes with an even, chalky texture. All the elements that make for an elite Sparkling wine are right here. A tiny volume, cellar door release. Praiseworthy for so many reasons, most of all its deliciousness.