2021 Danbury Ridge Wine Estate, Pinot Noir, Essex, England

A very difficult year! Winemaker Liam Idzikowski: ‘The fact it exists shows we aren’t all barking mad’. Most picked in November when there were hardly any leaves left on the vines! But the quantity was fine. It won’t be filtered. Bottled in August 2023. Cask sample straight out of barrel.

Pure, fresh mid crimson. The nose is positively rich! Then very fresh but not tart) and almost mineral on the end. Really pretty and fresher than the 2018. Hint of cinnamon.

Drink 2023 - 2031

This is a Pinot Noir that I would be happy to drop blind in any Burgundy tasting.

The 2021 Pinot Noir has a lucid colour. This has a superb bouquet, more transparency and complexity than the 2020. Vivid red fruit mixes with a touch of sous-bois and tomato vine. It’s probably my favourite of the Pinots so far. The palate has exquisite balance with slightly edgy tannins, impressive transparency, vivid cranberry and wild strawberry notes, and a sense of symmetry towards the finish. A bottle poured blind in New York showed more red fruit, Gamay-like characteristics.

Drink 2024 - 2034