NV Nyetimber Classic Cuvee

Full bottle 1,605 g. A bottle – code LCCMV0381CO8 – I found in our cellar which must have been put there in 2018! So probably based on 2014 or so. I wonder how it will have aged? Lemon yellow. Very gentle mousse but attractive freshness and still some fruit! An attractive revitalising drink, even if not especially persistent. (JR)

48% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 19% Pinot Meunier. Nyetimber uses only thier own grapes from their own vineyards (aged between 20 and 30 years), all south-facing with greensand and chalk soils. Grapes were picked by hand. Each vineyard parcel was treated uniquely, from picking to pressing to vinification in separate tanks. Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel, then second fermentation in bottle. The wine was aged on its lees for over 36 months. Winemakers Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix. TA 8.5 g/l, pH 3, RS 9.8 g/l. Vegan, natural cork. Available in Waitrose Cellar only. Impressive English sparkling (particularly so in the magnum format) but certainly not a bargain. Very fine-textured mousse, citrus and toasty apple notes, an elegant traditional-method sparkler with finesse and purity of flavour. (AWH)

Empty bottle 831 g. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Nyetimber uses only grapes from their own vineyards, all of which are south-facing with greensand and chalk soils. The grapes were picked by hand. Each vineyard parcel was treated separately, from picking to gently pressing to vinification in separate tanks. Fermentation in stainless-steel tanks, then secondary fermentation in bottle. The wine was aged on its lees for over 36 months. Winemaker Cherie Spriggs. Natural cork. TA 8.5 g/l, pH 3, RS 8.5 g/l. Vegan. Available in over 200 shops. Very fresh and tight, with depth – super-clean. It would be good to know which vintage it was based on – 2020? Pure as a mountain stream! But not cheap … (JR)