A trio of impressive Pet Nats from UK winery Westwell
Westwell are nailing Pet Nat. Everyone makes one, and sometimes they are accidentally good. But to do it well consistently takes some skill. These three are lovely. The Westwell wines are also the best packaged in the UK, thanks to Galia Pike’s intricate illustrations.
Westwell Petulant Nature Chardonnay 2025 Kent, England
Some sweet lemon at the core of this wine which shows rich mid-palate texture, and some herbal hints – basil and lavender – and then bright citrus. It’s quite fresh and effervescent, and gushes a tiny bit (but manageably) on opening. The Chardonnay shows itself with a citrus dominance, and there’s brightness and energy, and some chalky texture and then bright lemon and mandarin on the finish. It’s joyful but there’s also a bit of seriousness here, albeit not too much. Such presence to this Pet Nat. 92/100
Westwell Naturally Petulant 2025 Kent, England
12% alcohol. Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. This is the first fruit from Westwell’s new plantings at Birling Estate. Picked 29 September at 20.7 Brix and a TA of 10.8 g/l. Wild yeast fermentation, then bottled before the finish on 16 October. Hand disgorged. This is very pale pink, with wonderful aromas of sweet raspberry and strawberry with a hint of sweet apple, leading to a precise palate with lovely textured raspberry, cranberry and ripe pear fruit, with a hint of herbal character and lovely bass and treble, without too much middle. It’s joyful, sweetly fruited, but has a nice bite on the finish keeping things very fresh and alert. This is really impressive. 92/100
Westwell Petulant Nature Pink 2025 Kent, England
11.5% alcohol. Ortega and Regent. Fermented in stainless steel but bottled before fermentation was complete Pet Nat style. Then hand disgorged. Deep pink in colour, this is just beautiful, with pure, sweet cherry and raspberry fruit and nice brightness. It has amazing drinkability, and is pleasure in a glass. 91/100
