House of Cards Queen Bee Blanc de Blancs 2020 - Magnum

Stuart McCloskey “Brilliant deep gold in the glass, the 2020 Queen Bee immediately signals a sparkling wine entering a fascinating stage of development. The bouquet is wonderfully layered and expressive, unfurling with aromas of baked apple, quince paste, lemon curd, honeycomb and toasted brioche. With time, more complex notes emerge - roasted hazelnut, buttered croissant, sea spray, white flowers and a delicate saline mineral character that speaks to both place and extended bottle age.

The palate is where Queen Bee truly excels. Rich and textural yet remarkably precise, it delivers wave after wave of flavour without ever feeling heavy. Honeyed orchard fruits, preserved lemon, ripe nectarine and baked quince glide across the palate, supported by notes of freshly baked brioche, toasted almonds and sweet spice. A vibrant line of acidity keeps everything focused and energetic, while a gentle saline edge provides freshness and persistence.

What impresses most is the balance between maturity and vitality. The additional bottle age has brought greater complexity and harmony, yet the wine retains wonderful tension and drive. Long, layered and utterly compelling, this is a serious Australian sparkling wine that comfortably sits amongst the country's best examples.

Serve in a generous white wine glass rather than a flute (Zalto Universal is ideal). Drinking beautifully today, though it possesses the structure and concentration to evolve gracefully through to 2038 and beyond.”

2020 hand harvested Chardonnay. First fermentation in a second year French oak barrel where it matures for 12 months. Second fermentation inside the bottle. Aged on yeast lees for 5 years. Riddled. Disgorged. Dosaged. So complex and so delicious…