Sparkling English Wines
Raimes Blanc de Noirs 2015
Aromas of quince, red apple and almond, a hint of redcurrant and a weighty citrus finish
The elegance of RAIMES English Sparkling starts to happen on the south-facing slopes of its Hampshire vineyard. Here the chalk substratum lends a particular minerality that helps to achieve a delicate balance of ripeness, acidity and berry aroma. Wines are made in the traditional method using only grapes grown by the Raimes family. The 2015 Blanc de Noirs is an elegant, pale gold, fresh and well-balanced blend of 69% Pinot Noir and 31% Pinot Meunier. The wine is bottle fermented in the traditional method. The nose has aromas of red apples, quince and almonds. The palate has an up-front richness with more red apples and some redcurrant leading on to a zingy citrus finish.
www.jancisrobinson.com tasting note: “Satsuma tang and very spicy (is there a bit of oak on this?!) but it’s beautifully hemmed in – spice spiralling through the fruit on the palate and the acidity crackling with life. The stony, chalky backbone is mouth-watering in its chiselled, wired strength. Long, and although the acidity rides high on the prow it doesn’t drive the wine. Fennel and wild red berries. Perfect finish. Quite possibly my wine of the day. 17.5/20” (Tamlyn Currin)
