Castle Brook

Chris Chinn is better known as a grower of asparagus at Coughton Brook near Ross on Wye, but since his debut vintage in 2006 he has gained an enviable reputation for his wines as well, netting a clutch of awards. Planted on the site of an ancient Roman vineyard, a mere 4 hectares is given over to vines, grown on steep, south-facing slopes in the rain shadow of the Black Mountains. The soils are mineral rich, free-draining Ross sandstone. The base wines enjoy a lengthy maturation and undergo full malolactic. After the second fermentation the classic cuvee is allowed 4 ½ years on lees and the rose 3 years to develop their distinctive flavours.