2001 Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, England

"The 2001 marks a return to form for the best of the English Champagne look-alikes; the ageing has been restricted to four years, still long and generous by any standards, but engendering a wine that has kept good levels of freshness. Made with 60% Pinot fruit ( the majority of which is Pinot Noir) and 40% Chardonnay, the wine has an attractive nose of honey and flowers, then a palate  which is poised and rounded, with white fruit, brioche and spice all evidenced.

Nyetimber's history has been colourful, its vinous ownership having passed from the American Stuart Moss, via the flamboyant pop impressario Andy Hill to the Dutch entrepreneur Eric Heerema.  In the more distant past it was built by Henry V111 for Anne of Cleves, although she never actually took ownership, thanks, famously, to Holbein's pictorial exaggeration of her charms."
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)