WINE REVIEW
I have to admit, even with my penchant for English Wine, there’s been a tradition in the Mobbs household to go all-out on Christmas morning with a high-end prestige Champagne such as Taittinger Comtes Blanc de Blancs or Rosé. Nyetimber does also feature heavily on the big day too, with their enticing Tillington release, but this year I’m going to be bringing out the big guns with their 1086 Rosé.
The latest 2013 release is a blend of 64% Pinot Noir and 36% Chardonnay, with 14% of the overall blend being red wine that saw a brief period in oak. The resulting wine has a confident hue, and a visceral nose of raspberry, cherry and rhubarb, with hints of caramel and cashew nut.
For this release, Cherie Spriggs has further explored the impact of cork age, with the maiden bottles having been disgorged back in July 2020. Three years’ ageing under cork has prompted the development of caramelised flavours which support the brisk, fresh brightness of the 2013 fruit. There are lovely savoury and nutty undertones, as well as hints of spice and toast, but it’s the poise and structure that really make this stand out as one of the finest English Sparkling rosés released to date.
