Balfour, The Red Miller, 2018

We’re very excited to offer a special library release of 2018 Pinot Noirs. 2018 was the breakthrough vintage for English & Welsh red wines, producing the ripest fruit ever seen in these countries. Luscious and textural red Pinot Noirs were produced, by many vineyards for the first time. We’ve assembled a selection of some of the finest examples, the vast majority of which aren’t available to purchase anywhere else. The wines have been carefully cellared in temperature controlled conditions for the past five years and are now in beautiful form.

The first ever English red wine to win a Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge. The grapes come from an outstanding lot in Kent, where maximum ripeness has been achieved in the Pinot Meunier grapes. It is unusual to see Pinot Meunier vinified on its own as a still red wine, but this example will almost certainly encourage more. With minimal filtration and no fining, the winemaker Owen Elias has really let the grapes do the talking. The wine has gorgeous smokey mulberry, blackberry, raspberry, redcurrant and spice flavours, with soft and balanced tannins. It’s clear that this was a worthy winner of its Gold Medal.

Hidden deep in the Garden of England, the Balfour Hush Heath Estate comprises 400 acres of perfectly manicured vineyards, apple orchards and ancient oak woodlands rich with wildlife, flora and fauna.