Sugrue Crouch Valley Pinot Noir 2024

Elegant, fragrant and beautifully expressive, Sugrue Crouch Valley Pinot Noir 2024 showcases the increasingly impressive potential of English still red wine. Delicate aromas of wild strawberry, red cherry and raspberry are lifted by rose petal, subtle woodland notes and a gentle suggestion of sweet spice. The palate is finely textured and wonderfully poised, with bright red berry fruit supported by silky tannins and refreshing acidity. There is a lovely savoury dimension beneath the fruit, with touches of dried herbs, earthy spice and a hint of forest floor adding complexity. The finish is graceful and persistent, combining juicy red fruit with a subtle mineral edge. Light on its feet but far from lacking substance, this is a sophisticated Pinot Noir that favours finesse, purity and aromatic detail over power.

Produced by acclaimed English winemaker Dermot Sugrue, this Pinot Noir comes from Essex's Crouch Valley, an area rapidly establishing itself as one of England's most exciting regions for still wine. The relatively warm, dry conditions and favourable vineyard sites along the River Crouch allow Pinot Noir to achieve impressive ripeness while retaining the natural freshness that defines the best cool-climate examples. Sugrue's meticulous approach to winemaking places the emphasis firmly on fruit purity, texture and balance, resulting in a wine that feels both distinctly English and comfortably at home alongside elegant Pinot Noir from more established regions. Particularly appealing alongside roast duck, guinea fowl, wild mushrooms or charcuterie, it can also be enjoyed lightly chilled.