Exton Park Blanc de Blancs 2013

Exton Park Blanc de Blancs 2013: Eleven Years Worth Waiting For

Exton Park Blanc de Blancs 2013 is a rare late release that shows just how beautifully English Chardonnay can develop with time. After eleven years ageing on the lees, this Hampshire sparkling wine combines delicious maturity with a wonderfully lively character. Honeycomb, brioche and nutty richness meet bright acidity and a savoury finish, making it a particularly tempting bottle for anyone who enjoys sparkling wines with depth. Its achievements at the 2026 WineGB Awards give you another excellent reason to explore it.

Set in Hampshire’s South Downs, Exton Park is a 60-acre single-vineyard estate where chalk soils and a cool climate shape the wines’ distinctive freshness. The team grows all its own grapes and handles pressing, winemaking and ageing on site, keeping a close connection between the vineyard and the finished bottle. Vintage releases are reserved for exceptional harvests, offering a chance to taste the character of an individual season alongside the estate’s precise, expressive style.

For the 2013 Blanc de Blancs, the Chardonnay came from the first twenty rows of Exton Park’s oldest vines. A late, warm summer extended the ripening period, allowing the grapes to develop concentrated flavours while retaining their natural balance. Consultant winemaker Corinne Seely recognised the wine’s potential for long ageing, and the result rewards that patience. For customers curious about mature English sparkling wine, this is a fascinating opportunity to discover what an extended stay in the cellar can bring.

Bright gold in the glass, it opens with inviting aromas of honeycomb and marzipan. Brioche, stewed apple and candied macadamia follow on the palate, giving it a generous, rounded flavour profile. Those richer notes are balanced by firm, crunchy acidity, keeping the wine mouthwatering and energetic. The finish is clean, complex and distinctly saline, encouraging another sip. There is plenty to savour here, especially if you love the combination of bakery aromas, orchard fruit and a gently nutty character.

Exton Park Blanc de Blancs 2013 Food Pairing Suggestion:

Serve with seared scallops and beurre blanc, letting the wine’s acidity refresh the palate between bites while its mature flavours complement the buttery sauce. Mushroom risotto finished with Parmesan is another delicious option: the earthy mushrooms and savoury cheese bring out the wine’s depth. For smaller bites, try warm Parmesan gougères, whose airy centres and golden crusts echo its brioche notes.

Exton Park Blanc de Blancs 2013 Awards:

• Gold Medal, WineGB Awards 2026.
• Best Aged/Prestige Wine, WineGB Awards 2026.
• 97 points, WineGB Awards 2026.