The Bookkeeper 2020

English, maceration (AKA skin contact) natural wine. 120 bottles made. We are incredibly proud to present this rare and delicious creation by Charlie Herring wines (Mr Tim Phillips) in Lymington Spa. We have been working with Tim for some years now, and it is fascinating to observe the high quality of viticulture and winemaking he is capable of. World-class in our eyes. The Bookkeeper 2020 is made from 92% Pinot Blanc – fermented on skins for 3 weeks before transferring to barrel (old wood) in mid ‘21 for 12 months prior to bottling, and 8% Chardonnay – direct press to ferment in steel with raising partly in steel and part barrel (old wood). The fermentation and raising are done separately and then blended. Spontaneous fermentation, nothing added, no fining, no filtration, 10mg/l added at bottling. Pristine and very expressive nose with notes of ripe exotic fruit, an assortment of stone fruit, ripe orange rind and mandarin marmalade. The palate is bone dry (slightly surprising as the nose “promises” sweetness), controlled acidity with a slight briny feel on the attack continuing onto a long finish influenced by the Chardonnay’s complexity with a remote memory of sweetness on the very end.