This is English sparkling when it finds its groove and settles in. The 2019 Cuvée Manja Scott is Chardonnay and Pinot working in quiet harmony, shaped by Sussex chalk and the kind of patience that Breaky Bottom does so well. It opens bright and inviting - orchard apple, lemon zest, a soft hint of stone fruit - then eases into something more layered, more reflective. There is a gentle autolytic note here, just enough brioche and toasted almond to give the wine some grounding, without ever stealing the spotlight from its freshness. The bubbles are fine, persistent, and well-behaved, carrying everything along with a light, velvety glide that feels polished but never fussy. This is a Brut that knows when to lean in and when to hold back. Easy to pour at the start of an evening, but interesting enough to keep you engaged well past the first glass. Serve it with seafood, salty snacks, or a table full of people you actually want to spend time with. Bright, composed, and quietly confident. English bubbles, fully in their element.
