Chapel Down Grand Reserve 2019

Priya Sharma - Genuinely brilliant

9/10

Saw this on a restaurant menu and thought I'd give English wine a proper chance. So glad I did. There's a real depth to it that sneaks up on you — the more you sip the more you get out of it. 14% ABV but it doesn't taste boozy at all. Went back and ordered a case online.

Natasha Volkov - Nice but a bit steep

7/10

The wine shop guy recommended this when I said I wanted something English and interesting. It's good — clean, well-balanced, decent depth to it. But honestly for £45 I'd probably expect a bit more wow factor. Would try it again if it was on offer.

Erik Strom - Chapel Down doing reds now?!

8/10

Had no idea Chapel Down made a red! Picked this up at their vineyard shop on a day trip to Kent. Really pleasant surprise — proper structure, lovely fruit, and a finish that sticks around without being heavy. Will definitely be going back for more.

Nils Bergman - Great dinner party wine

8/10

Served this with a slow-cooked lamb shoulder for a dinner party and got loads of compliments. It's got this confident, inviting smell when you pour it and the flavour builds really nicely. One of those wines that makes you look like you know what you're doing.

Haruki Sato - Good not great

6/10

Got this as a Christmas present. It's perfectly fine — balanced, clean, pleasant enough to drink. But at nearly £45 a bottle I'd expect something that really blows me away and this didn't quite get there. I'd rather spend that on a decent Côtes du Rhône personally.

Elena Vasquez - Perfect with a roast

8/10

Had this with a Sunday roast beef and it was a brilliant match. Nice ripe fruit, good acidity to cut through the gravy, and it lingered just enough after each sip. My dad even admitted it was better than his usual Bordeaux, which is high praise from him.

Kai Oliveira - Solid English red

7/10

I'm still fairly new to wine beyond just grabbing whatever's on the shelf, but I really enjoyed this. It's smooth and not too in-your-face, with a nice clean finish. Not sure I'd pay £45 regularly but it was a good intro to pricier stuff.