WINE REVIEW
Perhaps something of an atypical wine for Nyetimber, as its name would suggest Tillington Single Vineyard comes from a single site. Tillington in West Sussex is a site that is prized for its Pinot Noir, which forms the majority of the blend (73%), with the remaining 27% being Chardonnay, which also contrasts with the largely Chardonnay-dominant approach of Nyetimber sparkling wine blends.
Now in its fifth vintage, Tillington represents a rare single-site expression for Nyetimber, and immediately the red fruit dominance manifests on the nose with aromas of red apple, cranberry, layers of pastry and almond croissant.
On the palate the softness of the mousse is immediately noticeable; the bubbles are fine and supple but also persistent. There’s lots of red apple on the palate, with some more concentrated suggestions of stone fruit and bursts of red fruit. It’s the deeper nutty notes that add structure, something in between almond cream and marzipan.
What stands out about this wine is how refined it is. There are no rough edges, no jarring acidity, and it’s both not shouty nor austere – it’s perfectly refined, soft and confidently complex. This is a beautiful reminder of why Tillington has been my most frequent choice for a Christmas morning toast over the last ten years.
