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Lyme Bay Pinot Noir 2024 is sourced from a selection of leading Essex vineyards close to the River Crouch, one of the few parts of England capable of reliably ripening Pinot Noir for still wine. Aged in French oak and made from carefully selected fruit, it showcases the concentration, finesse and complexity that have made Lyme Bay one of the country's most highly regarded producers of still wine.
Bright cherry, raspberry and redcurrant lead the way, supported by hints of mulberry, savoury spice and earthy woodland notes. Oak ageing adds subtle vanilla and structure without overshadowing the fruit, while the finish is long, balanced and refined.
The fruit was hand harvested between late October and early November from Dijon and Spätburgunder Pinot Noir clones grown across several Essex vineyards. Although 2024 was a wetter than average growing season, naturally low yields helped produce fruit with excellent ripeness and concentration.
Small-batch fermentations included 10% whole-bunch fruit, with manual punch-downs used to gently extract colour, flavour and tannin. The wine then underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel before spending eight months ageing in French oak, 32% of which was new. It was bottled without fining and with only light filtration to preserve its character and detail.
This is a confident English Pinot Noir that balances ripe fruit with savoury complexity, showing just how far English red wine has come in recent years.
Serve with roast lamb, duck, game birds or wild mushroom dishes. The wine's combination of bright fruit, savoury notes and gentle oak also works well with pork and mature cheeses.
Pinot Noir is the holy grail grape for many winemakers, it is a difficult mistress, but when made well it shines.
Young Pinot Noir has delicious aromas of cherries, raspberries, and strawberries. With age it develops complexity and mystery. Older wines have the capacity to become a gamey style of wine, and the best examples show autumnal notes of truffles, mushrooms, and forest floor.
Essex may be the best site for still wine grapes in England. The vineyards are concentrated in the Crouch Valley which is one of the driest and warmest parts of the UK.
Many of the vineyard sell their grapes rather than make their own wines, so often you may not be aware that the wine you are drinking is using grapes from Essex.
