Roebuck Estates, Rosé de Noirs, 2020
Roebuck Estates, Rosé de Noirs, 2020
- Rosé Still
- 75.0cl
- 12.0%
- Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Précoce
Roebuck Estates sits on the same Sussex chalk that runs under Champagne, and this Rosé de Noirs makes no secret of the family resemblance. Made from Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier alone, the colour comes from a careful bleed of red juice rather than a splash of still wine, giving it a pale, confident pink and a seriousness that belies the pretty hue.
This is English sparkling wine in full command of itself: the mousse is fine and persistent, the fruit is more wild strawberry and redcurrant than anything jammy, and a chalky, saline thread keeps it taut rather than soft. Drink it now for its energy, though it has the backbone to hold until 2032 if you fancy watching it fill out.
- ❖ ABV: 12.0%
Grapes
Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Précoce
Vintage report
2020 is the vintage Sussex growers mention with a glint in the eye, and rightly so. A warm, early spring pushed flowering on nicely, summer brought long dry stretches that concentrated flavour without tipping into stress, and a settled September let everyone pick on their own terms rather than racing the weather. Yields were down on the bumper 2018, but what came in was clean, ripe and even across the board, a rare combination in a region where rain usually has the final word.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir both performed well, giving fruit with real ripeness for sparkling base wine, while still Pinots from the vintage have a generosity you don't always get in Sussex. It's a vintage that's building a reputation as one of the finest of the decade so far, helped along by a generation of winemakers now working with more experience and confidence than ten years ago. The sparkling wines are only beginning to show themselves, many still ageing on lees, and will reward patience into the late 2020s, while still wines are drinking beautifully now and should hold well until 2027 or so.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale salmon pink with a fine, persistent bead.
NoseWild strawberry and redcurrant mingle with a light brioche note and a whisper of chalk dust.
PalateCrisp and precise, with red berry fruit, a savoury, saline backbone, and a fine, creamy mousse that never softens the acidity.
FinishLong, dry, and mineral, with a lingering citrus snap.
Overall impressionA taut, chalky rosé with real Champagne-like poise.
Food Pairings
Along the Sussex coast this would happily sit beside a plate of Selsey crab or native oysters, the wine's saline edge mirroring the sea air it grew up in. Locals might just as easily pour it with a simple ploughman's of strong cheddar and pickle, trusting the acidity to cut through. It also does fine work alongside smoked salmon or a soft, rind-washed British cheese when the occasion calls for something a little more festive.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well chilled at around 8-10°C, straight from an ice bucket if the sun's out. No need to decant, though a few extra minutes in the glass won't hurt it. Choose a tulip-shaped glass rather than a flute, giving the aromatics room to show themselves properly.
The vineyards lie on the South Downs, where the same seam of chalk that underpins Champagne resurfaces after its journey beneath the English Channel. This free-draining, mineral-rich soil, combined with a cool maritime climate, gives naturally high acidity and restrained ripeness, perfect for the tension this style demands. South-facing slopes help coax the Pinot Noir and Meunier to full phenolic ripeness in a marginal climate.
England does not yet operate a strict regional appellation system for sparkling wine in the way Champagne does, though Sussex has pushed hardest for formal recognition of its chalk terroir. Wines from this corner of the South Downs are increasingly spoken of in the same breath as their French cousins, prized for a similar combination of chalky minerality and bracing acidity. There's no AOC here, but a growing sense of regional identity does the job instead.
2020 is the vintage Sussex growers mention with a glint in the eye, and rightly so. A warm, early spring pushed flowering on nicely, summer brought long dry stretches that concentrated flavour without tipping into stress, and a settled September let everyone pick on their own terms rather than racing the weather. Yields were down on the bumper 2018, but what came in was clean, ripe and even across the board, a rare combination in a region where rain usually has the final word.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir both performed well, giving fruit with real ripeness for sparkling base wine, while still Pinots from the vintage have a generosity you don't always get in Sussex. It's a vintage that's building a reputation as one of the finest of the decade so far, helped along by a generation of winemakers now working with more experience and confidence than ten years ago. The sparkling wines are only beginning to show themselves, many still ageing on lees, and will reward patience into the late 2020s, while still wines are drinking beautifully now and should hold well until 2027 or so.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Pale pink with wild strawberry and redcurrant fruit, a chalky, saline edge, and a fine, persistent mousse.
When should I drink this wine?
It's delicious now for its freshness, though it will happily hold and develop further complexity until 2032.
What food should I pair it with?
Think native oysters, crab, or smoked salmon, or simply strong cheddar and pickle for something more rustic.
How should I serve it?
Chill to 8-10°C and pour into a tulip glass rather than a flute to let the aromas open up.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
It's not built for decades in the cellar, but a few years will add welcome toasty, savoury depth.
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