Roebuck Estates, Rare Expressions No19, Sussex, England, 2015

Producer Profile

Roebuck Estates adopt a single-minded approach, using only the finest quality estate-grown grapes, from exceptional vineyard sites to create award-winning wines from classic Champagne varieties.

Located close to the historic market town of Petworth in West Sussex, Roebuck Estates was established in 2013 by two Brits, Mike Smith and John Ball, whose love of wine, long-standing friendship, and belief in the potential of the English wine industry sparked several years spent searching for the perfect vineyard plots.

Viticulture

The winter preceding the 2015 growing season was a cold one, which vines tend to enjoy as it encourages a well-earned rest. Spring arrived later than usual with budburst taking place in early April. Cooler temperatures in August slowed the growing season down, resulting in a slightly later than normal veraison. By harvest time, the fruit was ripe with perfect acids and we could be incredibly exact on picking dates ensuring optimal levels of sugar, acidity and aromatics. The fruit comes from Burgundy clone 667, the vines having been planted in 2007.

Winemaking

Carefully selected bunches were hand harvested from Block 19 at the Roman Villa vineyard in West Sussex and gently whole bunch pressed. Partial fermentation in old Burgundian barrels followed by a generous lees-ageing in bottle for a minimum of seven years imparts a wonderful richness and complexity on this very special wine.

Oak Ageing

Time: 3 Months
Type: Burgundian Oak
% wine oaked: 5
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

Roebuck Rare Expressions No.19 bears the hallmark of their signature style - structure, depth of flavour and layers of complexity. A rich, yet beautifully balanced wine displaying delightful notes of ripe peach, baked apples and honeysuckle layered with hints of toasted almonds.

Food Matching

Lobster, oysters, aged Comté.