Tillingham Pinot Noir Un-Oaked 2020

Tillingham Pinot Noir Un-Oaked, natural wine from England, Vineyards in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, just 11% abv, crunchy, light, strawberries. Semi carbonic: tank filled with whole cluster then topped with Pinot Noir juice. Pressed after five days and aged in concrete for six months, then racked to stainless steel and bottled by gravity with a small sulphur addition. Very nice red, very Tillingham.

Tillingham is a fantastic project run by Ben Walgate in East Sussex.

It is situated off a winding country lane on a slope leading down to the Tillingham River which meanders down to Rye. Ben has already set about using organic compost across his five acres, and he plans to introduce sheep onto the land in the spring to help naturally control cover crop and weeds. He's even experimenting with biodynamic preparations (such as 500) so as to improve the health of his soil. Now here's a man who's serious about natural wine making!  In all Ben has planted around 10,000 plants including thirteen English and International grape varieties. His style is experimental, preferring natural methods and a 'try-it-and-see' approach, which is yielding some great results from this budding winemaker.  Great to see such passion and instinct from English wineries.