{"product_id":"bride-valley-pinot-noir","title":"England: Bride Valley Estate - Pinot Noir 2022, Jurassic Coast, Dorset","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRead \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wineobsessed.co.uk\/pages\/bride_valley\" title=\"Alex's notes on Bride Valley\"\u003eAlex's notes on Bridge Valley\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape variety: 100% Pinot Noir. 12.5% alcohol. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"This is a sprightly, elegant red with a spring in its step, a joie de vivre and a youthful charm\" - \u003c\/strong\u003eMasters of Wine Susie Barrie \u0026amp; Peter Richards, The Wine Blast Podcast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest served at cellar temperature\/lightly chilled (12-14°C) to highlight its vibrancy - pop in the fridge for around 10 minutes if (like me) you don't have a cellar. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor lovers of lighter, cool-climate, lean, tangy reds. It reminds me of a high-altitude Alpine - say Alto-Adige\/Trentino - style of red wine. Or how Bouzy rouge used to taste before the warming of the climate gathered so much pace (a Pinot Noir red made in the Champagne region). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is brilliant with food that packs a lot of flavour and that requires a red with good acidity (fatty\/game meats, Asian duck dishes for instance). \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaybe avoid if a cool-climate style of red isn't your bag!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe wines of Bride Valley were the brainchild of wine legend Steven Spurrier of 'The Judgement of Paris' fame and this Pinot Noir, as well as of course the estate's sparkling, is proof of his long-held conviction that England is capable of producing world-class wines. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Kimmeridgian soils found at Bride Valley are prized for producing mineral, tense, long-lived wines - characteristics that are very evident in this wine. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI first tasted this in 2024 and it was still shy and tightly-wound, but I could sense the potential. It has now opened-up on both nose and palate, and it's drinking well now, although do give it a little time in the glass to broaden. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts mineral tension suggests there’s still more to come as it ages further, and the palate will take on more weight. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's certainly not a big wine, as might be expected; it is a lean, linear and taut style of Pinot Noir which some love, and some don't. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is poised and tangy yet delicate, old-school, cool-climate, raspberry and cherry-scented Pinot Noir. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts fruit is as fresh as a daisy; for some, under-ripe and not concentrated enough, for others, wonderfully taut and tense, while it comes into its own with Asian styles of food and a fatty cut of lamb. It's a ballerina, or a high-wire artist of a wine - it walks a tightrope. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA little time in both French and American oak has imparted subtle warming notes and very gentle touches of vanilla, while it retains refreshing acidity on the finish. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt's the refreshing fruit that takes centre stage here, as it should - the oak is barely noticeable. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA natural match with a roast: a brilliant sunday lunch red with turkey or goose but equally as good with lamb or duck; it cuts through fatty meats very well. Also salmon, or other robust seafood. And a plate of charcuterie, definitely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can also handle a good deal of Asian spice. A great match with a decent Chinese takeaway! Try with h\u003cspan\u003eoney \u0026amp; soy salmon with noodles \u0026amp; pak choi, or hoisin duck.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat the critics say:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMasters of Wine Susie Barrie \u0026amp; Peter Richards, The Wine Blast Podcast:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"This is a sprightly, elegant red with a spring in its step, a joie de vivre and a youthful charm,\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eall of which captures something of its proprietor, Steven Spurrier.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"It’s not perfect, but then I can almost hear Steven agreeing. What he would – elegantly, charmingly, enthusiastically – point out is that it’s exactly what it’s meant to be. A fresh, upbeat English Pinot Noir, light but with plenty of sappy, herbal, earthy intrigue. It’s vivacious and tangy, whippet-lean and eager for a plate of cold cuts. It’s not fancy, or overbearing (though it does have a whiff of toast from the touch of American oak). Susie loved it when she judged it at the recent WineGB Awards. \u003cspan\u003eBut what it is, is a perfectly enjoyable and definitely moreish red – a fine wine ideally suited to celebrating a fine man, and a fine legacy.\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe winemaker’s notes: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Opening with a fresh fruity, cherry led nose, this is a wine that draws you in from the start and is an elegant example of our unique English terroir. This medium-bodied wine has a soft, sumptuous mouthfeel with long-lasting flavours.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"#WineObsessed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52139148149083,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0948\/7741\/7819\/files\/BrideValleyPNoirBottle.png?v=1776702740","url":"https:\/\/wineobsessed.co.uk\/products\/bride-valley-pinot-noir","provider":"#WineObsessed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}