Highlights: Roebuck Estates Classic Cuvée 2018 England
In recent years, Roebuck Estates has emerged as one of the best English sparkling wine producers. They have four vineyards across Sussex planted between 2006 and 2017. This, the latest release, impressed.
Roebuck Estates Classic Cuvée 2018 England
12% alcohol. This is pure, delicate and refined. There’s a fine toasty note on the nose with some fresh bready character, as well as orange peel and lime. The palate is precise and incisive with a nice acid line, some pure lemony fruit, and just a hint of peach and apricot richness. Beautiful balance here. 92/100
Older notes:
Roebuck Estates Rosé de Noirs 2016 England
First vintage of this wine, just 2000 bottles made. 12% alcohol. Pale pink in colour. This is really pure and precise with fresh redcurrant and cherry fruit, as well as lively citrus notes. It’s very fine and linear with good acidity that is countered nicely by appropriate dosage. Really pure and quite delicious: combines fun with a touch of seriousness. 91/100
Roebuck Estates Blanc de Noirs 2015 Sussex, England
12% alcohol. Made from Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Roman Villa Vineyard foothills of the South Downs in West Sussex. Quite rich in colour, this is a decadent, expressive Blanc de Noirs with notes of cherry, apple and lemons. There are hints of nut and toast, and the flavour builds beautifully across the palate, reaching quite a volume. Finishes vivid and spicy with a crystalline edge. A lovely fruit-driven expression of fizzy Pinot, this is really impressive. 93/100
Roebuck Estates Classic Cuvée 2014 Sussex, England
12% alcohol. This is from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Base wine aged for a long time on lees in French oak barrels. This has quite a deep colour, and a nose of honey, nuts, toast and spice. On the palate there’s keen acidity, but also an intrinsic richness. Bold and spicy with honey, baked apple, pear and nectarine notes as well as a core of lemony fruit, and a cherry flourish. It’s a really rich style, no doubt helped by the barrel ageing of the base wines, but it works really well. 91/100 (£35 Roebuckestates.co.uk, Southdowncellars.co.uk)
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