2005 Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, England

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 The 2005 Classic Cuvée is made from approximately 60% Chardonnay , the balance divided fairly evenly between the two Pinots, Noir and Meunier.

The wine has exuberant youthful aromas, with hints of honey, lemon zest and shortbread all evidenced; on the palate there is the characteristic Nyetimber autolytic weight allied to notes of quince and grapefruit and even flavours which are heading towards the more exotic end of the fruit spectrum. A clean quite complex finish completes the picture in a more than satisfying fashion.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)