THE WINE
Magic Number is a detailed, pretty red with complexity, length and substance. Bright with fruit, and elegant acidity it characterises Nic & Dan's journey with red varieties; a road of discovery, learning how to develop their ideal profile with homegrown fruit. With Magic Number, they have tapped into a vein of possibility they are still following.  In our mind it brings comparisons with the prettiest of Volnays. 
 
The Pinots were sourced from the 2021 and 2022 vintages: grown by Lucie & Jules at Ham Street, Kent (2021 Pinot Noir) and in the Crouch Valley, Essex (2022 Pinot Meunier and Pinot Blanc). The Pinot Noir had a two-month semi-carbonic maceration and aged in oak for 19 months. The 2021 Essex fruit had a two-week semi-carbonic maceration then pressed off to oak barrels. The final assemblage was roughly an even split of the two years and vineyards bottled by gravity in July 2023, to the lunar calendar and with no additions.
 
We found this wine can present a reductive edge on opening - this dissapates quickly through a decanter or being left alone given time to breathe.
 
THE PEOPLE
Daniel & Nicola Ham work from their cellar in Wiltshire (located at Botley Farm - home to Domaine Hugo) making pure & exciting wines completely free of additives.  Formerly the head winemaker of Langham Wines we think Dan is probably the top winemaker working in the UK at the moment producing some of the most exciting wines on the natural wine scene.  
 
THE PLACE
The UK natural wine scene is increasingly defined by a new wave of producers embracing low-intervention viticulture and winemaking. Across regions like Kent, Sussex, and Essex, growers are shifting toward organic and biodynamic practices, prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and sustainability. In the cellar, many work with native yeasts, avoid filtration, and limit or eliminate sulfur use, allowing the wines to reflect their vineyard origins and the nuances of each vintage. This hands-off approach is resulting in expressive, characterful wines that challenge traditional expectations of English wine and are helping to shape a more diverse and dynamic national wine identity.