NV Sugrue Zero Dosage #Zodo MV (2014 Base)
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Tasting notes
A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, with 50% of the base wine fermented in old oak. The wine has a 2014 base, with some 2009 and 2011 reserve wines added as the equivalent of a “dosage” (representing just 1% of the blend), but it’s bottled as “MV” so that Dermot has the flexibility to adapt this according to vintage – key to success with zero dosage.
Critic scores
Neal Martin, Vinous
More reviews and scores
I tasted two bottlings of the NV Zero Dosage The Trouble With Dreams ZODO. The first was a March 2020 prototype disgorgement that Dermot Sugrue expressed dissatisfaction with, though I thought it was pretty good. The second, tasted in January 2021, had just been disgorged and was admittedly even better. It is based on the 2014 vintage and contains reserve wine from 2009 and 2011, so Dermot Sugrue classes it as a multi-vintage blend with zero dosage. Due for release in spring 2021, this is just a killer English sparkling wine that is one of the most Champagne-like in style. It has a very intense, delineated bouquet of Granny Smith apple, crushed stone and sea cave aromas. The palate is exquisitely balanced with fine weight and density, yet paradoxically seems nimble and light on its feet. Razor-sharp acidity and just a light twist of sour lemon on the finish. This is outstanding.
About the producer
As English sparkling wine breaks out onto the world’s stage, a few names already come to mind as beacons of quality and know-how. Dermot Sugrue’s eponymous label leads the charge.