The 2013-established Sussex estate has released its latest sparkling wine from the 2016 vintage.
Jake Wicks, head of viticulture at Roebuck Estates hails the vintage as “stellar.” He says: “2016 took a little time to really get going but by mid-July the weather had drastically improved, and the sunshine continued almost unabated until harvest. The small but perfectly formed bunches were allowed to bask in a long Indian summer and achieve full ripeness with perfect acids.”
The estate’s self-confessed aim is richness and complexity and the 2016 Classic Cuvée fits the bill. While the estate was not established until 2013, the fruit is sourced from two Susssex vineyards that were planted in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The home site, Upperton Vineyard, is in the village of Tillington, a name that will already be familiar to lovers of English Sparkling Wines as the name and source of Nyetimber’s single-vineyard bottling. Roebuck refer to the Upperton Vineyard as “crown jewel,” Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grow there. The Roman Villa Vineyard, also close to Petworth, is planted to Pinot Noir grapes only.
Blended from 50% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir and 13% Pinot Meunier, with a small proportion of base wines fermented in oak barrels, the wine spent four years on its lees, adding that lovely creamy richness. It spent further time under cork before release.
