ROSE DE NOIRS, Roebuck Estates, Sussex 2017

Mike Smith and John Ball, Petworth, Sussex

Roebuck Estates adopt a single-minded approach, using only the finest quality estate-grown grapes, from exceptional vineyard sites to create award-winning wines from classic Champagne varieties.

Located close to the historic market town of Petworth in West Sussex, Roebuck Estates was established in 2013 by two Brits, Mike Smith and John Ball, whose love of wine, long-standing friendship, and belief in the potential of the English wine industry sparked several years spent searching for the perfect vineyard plots.

Sourced from Roebucks own vineyards in West Sussex comprising of mainly loam and clay rich soils. Carefully selected bunches were handpicked into small buckets and then gently transferred into picking crates before being transported to the winery.

Carefully selected bunches were gently whole bunch pressed and partially fermented in old Burgundian barrels followed by a generous period of lees ageing in bottle for a minimum of 36 months. A splash of Pinot Précoce was added as a still red wine at disgorgement imparting a pretty rose-pink tone and attractive red berry notes on this wine.

Time: 7 Months
Type: Old Burgundy 225l barrels
% wine oaked: 9
% new oak: None

Delicate rose-pink in colour with fragrant aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries and white peach. An expressive palate displaying deliciously ripe notes of red berry fruits, honeysuckle and a hint of almond. Beautifully balanced with a bright seam of acidity, a fine persistent mousse and a long, yet elegant finish.

Grapes: Pinot Noir 79%, Pinot Meunier 19%, Pinot Noir Précoce 2%

Biodynamic