Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2015

Region and Vineyards

The 2015 Blanc de Blancs comes from Nyetimber’s chalk- and flint-rich vineyards in West Sussex and Hampshire. These soils are geologically similar to those in Champagne, lending a pronounced minerality and taut acidity to the Chardonnay grapes. The cool, maritime climate of southern England ensures slow ripening, preserving freshness and enhancing aromatic precision.

Nyetimber exclusively uses estate-grown fruit across its 170 hectares, divided into eight distinct sites. This careful selection enables precise terroir expression in each cuvée. The south-facing slopes and low yields further contribute to the elegance and definition of the Blanc de Blancs style.

Winemaking

Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay, the 2015 Blanc de Blancs underwent secondary fermentation in bottle following the traditional method. It then spent 96 months (8 years) aging on lees, an exceptionally long period even by prestige cuvée standards. This extensive autolysis enhances the wine’s textural refinement and complexity.

The wine presents with a residual sugar of 9.7 g/L, classifying it as Brut, and has 8 g/L of total acidity, a figure that reflects the wine’s bright tension and long aging potential. The alcohol level is a balanced 12%, underscoring its finesse and moderate ripeness.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Bright straw with a luminous clarity and refined effervescence.
• Aroma: Complex and expressive, featuring brioche, toasted hazelnut, lemon curd, and chalk dust. A rich autolytic character dominates, supported by subtle floral and citrus nuances.
• Palate: The mousse is energetic yet silky, delivering flavors of green apple, white peach, and almond pastry. Saline and sapid, the wine finishes with remarkable aromatic persistence and a mineral edge.

Did you know?

The Blanc de Blancs 2015 was served by Queen Elizabeth II at her Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations, solidifying Nyetimber’s status as a flagship of English sparkling wine. Owner Eric Heerema, who took over in 2006, envisions the estate’s legacy not in vintages but in generations.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Scallops with Jerusalem artichoke purée – Echoes the wine’s saline minerality while enhancing its creamy texture.
• Pan-seared pike-perch with grilled endive – A fine match for the wine’s bracing acidity and depth.
• Chalky English cheeses – Complements the wine’s mineral and autolytic profile with similar textural qualities.

History of Nyetimber

Nyetimber’s story began in 1988, when the Moss family took a bold step in planting Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier vines in West Sussex—a visionary move at a time when English sparkling wine was still a novelty. Their goal was simple yet ambitious: to create wines that could rival the finest Champagnes.

The estate's true transformation came under the guidance of Éric Heerema, who acquired Nyetimber in 2006. A Dutch entrepreneur with a deep reverence for long-term craftsmanship, Heerema invested not only in vineyard expansion but also in a philosophy rooted in generational vision rather than vintage cycles. His commitment to estate-only production, where all wines are made exclusively from grapes grown on Nyetimber’s land, set a new benchmark for quality and authenticity in the UK.

Winemaking responsibilities were entrusted to Cherie Spriggs and Brad Greatrix, a husband-and-wife team originally from Canada, who joined in 2007. Cherie Spriggs made history in 2018 when she was named Sparkling Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge—an unprecedented recognition for an English winemaker.

Region and Vineyards

Nyetimber’s vineyards stretch across West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent, three of England’s most favorable regions for sparkling wine production. The sites benefit from a cool maritime climate that encourages long ripening seasons, preserving natural acidity and promoting slow flavor development.

The soils are a complex mix, but chalk and greensand dominate—providing excellent drainage and contributing to the minerality and tension found in the wines. The vineyard team works with multiple clones and rootstocks, carefully matched to soil type and microclimate, ensuring optimal fruit character and ripeness.

Today, Nyetimber manages 170 hectares divided across eight vineyard sites, each meticulously farmed and harvested by hand. The estate’s complete control over viticulture allows precise selection and blending, underpinning the house’s signature style.

Wine Range of Nyetimber

Nyetimber focuses exclusively on traditional method sparkling wines, producing a focused yet expressive range:

• Classic Cuvee NV – The house signature, a multi-vintage blend of the three Champagne grapes, showing freshness, autolytic depth, and consistency.
• Blanc de Blancs – 100% Chardonnay, from select parcels, aged extensively for elegance and minerality.
• Rosé – A delicate and floral expression with red berry charm, blending Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
• Tillington Single Vineyard – A limited-production, terroir-specific cuvée made only in exceptional vintages.
• Cuvée Chérie – A rare demi-sec, ideal for pairing with lightly spiced or sweet dishes, crafted exclusively from Chardonnay.
• Prestige cuvée 1086 – The estate’s flagship, produced only in the best years, combining power, length, and finesse for long aging.

Did you know?

Nyetimber was the first English wine estate to plant exclusively Champagne grape varieties and the first to produce traditional method sparkling wine solely from estate-grown fruit. It has been served by Queen Elizabeth II and is often credited with putting English sparkling wine on the global fine wine map.