Description
Lyme Bay Chardonnay 2018 was the one that first changed my thoughts on English still wine. Having long loved English sparkling wines, I confess I had avoided the still wines but improvements in recent years in English viticulture and wine production means that they are worth trying now. This Lyme Bay Chardonnay 2018 is delicious. There are so many different styles of Chardonnay, some more fruity and some more oak-influenced. This one strikes the perfect balance retaining its fruit flavours of apple, subtle peach and lemon but displaying a light touch of spice, honey and pastry. It’s a real crowd-pleaser – in a good way!
2018 benefited from a warm vintage – for England – giving the Chardonnay grapes ripeness and concentration of aromas and flavours. Lyme Bay Chardonnay 2018 smells of orchard fruits, apples and pears with citrus zest. Those aromas are transferred to the palate along with the hints of honey, butter and vanilla. The wine is rounded and still retains its refreshing acidity which prevents it from being too rich. It is a great example of a fruity Chardonnay with subtle Burgundian-style bready notes, the perfect combination.
For another fabulous still wine from the same producers but from entirely different grapes, check out Lyme Bay Shoreline 2021.