No.1 Assemblé NV

Reviews

Sam Kim, Wine Orbit: 95/100. Beautifully composed and expressed, the inviting bouquet shows ripe apple, lemon peel, almond meal and white floral aromas, followed by a gorgeously creamy palate offering excellent weight and fine flow. Splendidly framed by juicy acidity, making it elegantly flavoursome and highly enjoyable.

Cameron Douglas MS: 94/100. A bouquet of freshness and balance, a traditional blend where the voices of Chardonnay and Pinots Noir and Meunier capture the fullness and richness of the style. Aromas and flavours of white fleshed orchard fruits and citrus, myriad baled goods and butter croissant come to mind and palate. As the wine touches the palate an flourish of texture and power are locked into the mousse accentuated by acidity. Flavours of citrus and peach, baked goods and mineral begin to return and remain persistent and fresh. Balanced and well made, youthful and lively, a wine that is ready to drink as an aperitif and will pair well with oysters and mussel, seafood and bespoke cheese selections.

David Walker Bell, WineFolio: 94/100. A delicate pale golden colour in the glass. A very fine bead of bubbles. A complex, elegant bouquet shows hazelnut, white peach, fresh baguette, apple, citrus and strawberry flavours. A bright and lively acidity on the entry to the fresh, dry palate. Good weight through to the creamy texture at the back of the palate, with some savoury notes of marmite and bay leaf along the journey. Fine drinking at the price.

Bob Campbell, MW: 94/100 (21.12.2022). I find the wine very Champagne-like, making it excellent value at this price. An appealing combination of freshness with baguette crust yeastiness.

Decanter World Wine Awards 2024: Silver & 94/100. Ripe stone and citrus fruits support oyster shells and brioche notes. Taut palate with bright and enticing autolytic quality. Lengthy and very stylish.

Tasting Note

The bouquet is complex, alluring and has scents of autolysis with baked goods and oats. The fruit aromas include white and yellow peach, baked apple and citrus. A fine mousse and bold acidity, fine leesy after taste, lengthy dry finish. Complex, slight savoury appeal, mealy textures and flavours that reflect the nose.

Aromas and flavours:

Additional information

Type: Sparkling wine from New Zealand

Varietals: 57% Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay

Vineyard: Marlborough, New Zealand.

Winemaking: Bottle fermented and aged on lees for a minimum of 3 years.

Alcohol: 12.5% vol

Total acidity: 9 g/l

Residual sugar: 4 g/l

Total acidity: 6.3 g/l

Sweetness: Brut

Bottle size: 0.75l

Notice: contains sulphites

Ingredients: Grapes, enrichments sucrose/sugar, Liqueur d'expédition, packaging gas carbon dioxide, preservatives: sulphites

Produced and bottled by: No.1 Family Estate, 169 Rapaura Road, RD3, Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

Distributor: vinabonus GmbH, Simmedenweg 40, 34134 Kassel, Germany