(2024) This is not the current vintage of this wine (the 2017 is the one most retailers seem to be stocking), but it just shows how beautifully the wine ages over several years. From an estate very much focused on Bordeaux as a model, it spent 17 months in barrels from top French coopers, 40% new. When I last tasted it in 2019 I noted "serious structure, the deep black fruit bound by firm, gripping tannins and decisive acidity," and while the tannins have mellowed a little since, that wonderful balance of the wine, and that wonderful combination of fruit and structure remains. The intervening five years have also developed its tertiary aromas suggesting game and sweet, damp earth among the more plush black fruits. The current vintage can be had for £17-£18 quite widely, which is surely very attractive for a wine of considerable pedigree and cellaring potential. Stockist and price quoted for the most recent vintage.
(2024) One of three sparkling wines that Roebuck will release from 2018, such was the quality of the vintage in its Sussex vineyards. This is a blend of Chardonnay (47%), Pinot Noir (42%) and Pinot Meunier (11%), around 5% barrel-fermented. The wine spent 48 months on the lees. It has a really vivacious, sparky personality, and although there's plenty of biscuity richness and creaminess, lemon and crisp apple, plus a hint of umami savouriness add to the complexity. The mousse is tight and energetic, all the citrussy fruit anchored by some truffle and toast toward the finish. It's a taut, intense style, done very well.
(2024) A panel of winemakers in selects certain wines to form part of an annual, limited-edition collection. Fruit for this comes from selected plots predominantly on clay-limestone and gravel soils. Fermentation in stainless steel was followed by ageing on the fine lees for ten months. Presented in a very handsome bottle, it is an arresting wine aromatically, with grippy citrus peel, yeasty, and almondy and creamy notes from the time stirred on the lees. Quite full bodied, grapefruit dominates with punchy, tangy and bittersweet flavours, a salty backbone if acidity and again, that lees work creating a creamy and nutty undertone. Watch the video for more information.
(2024) Rich, meaty nose, a little bit baked in character. Quite smooth, but rather one dimensional, a firm, slightly aggressive quality to the acidity, a bit a of raspberry lifts the finish. £13.99, but 'Angels' buy for £12.99
(2024) Cool climate character is good, with herbs, pepper and a certain meatiness. Plummy, the palate perhaps a slightly raw quality, a touch of charry character from the oak adds to that. Tannins are firm and this has reasonable balance overall. £24.99, but 'Angels' pay £15.99
(2024) Lemon and herbs, a clean slightly salty / mineral character. Plenty of sour lemon fruit on the palate and the classic bitter almond finish. £19.99, but 'Angels' buy for £12.99
(2024) Quite reserved aromatically, a touch of apple and and lemon. Dry, but lacks any punch or real vigour for Sauvignon. Reasonably well balanced, but rather insipid and felt a bit tired. Vin de France, so no regional information given. £16.99, but 'Angels' buy for £12.99
(2024) For me possibly the best wine in this small selection, quite herbal and has a certain feeling of richness. Nettle and some elderflower. Bursts with passion fruit and peach on the palate; plenty of vivacious zesty orange and lemon acidity. £21.99, but 'Angels' pay £13.99
(2024) A Bordeaux blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot and 9% Malbec. Sweet, plush and smooth black fruits. A touch of chocolate, plum and earlier depths. Juicy and well balanced blend. Not hugely complex, but very enjoyable. £21.99, but 'Angels' buy at £13.99.
This is not the current vintage of this wine (the 2017 is the one most retailers seem to be stocking), but it just shows how beautifully the wine ages over several years. From an estate very much focused on Bordeaux as a model, it spent 17 months in barrels from top French coopers, 40% new. When I last tasted it in 2019 I noted "serious structure, the deep black fruit bound by firm, gripping tannins and decisive acidity," and while the tannins have mellowed a little since, that wonderful balance of the wine, and that wonderful combination of fruit and structure remains. The intervening five years have also developed its tertiary aromas suggesting game and sweet, damp earth among the more plush black fruits. The current vintage can be had for £17-£18 quite widely, which is surely very attractive for a wine of considerable pedigree and cellaring potential. Stockist and price quoted for the most recent vintage. 