Description
“You may think you know New Zealand wines but I can assure you that until you have tasted Pyramid Valley, you have no idea. The results speak for themselves: astonishingly good, terroir-expressive wines that will challenge all your preconceptions.” Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate
Pyramid Valley founders, Mike and Claudia Weersing, were driven to create one of the New World’s great cool-climate vineyards and it took 15 years and a quixotic global journey that included a lengthy stopover in Burgundy. Mimicking the aspect and soils of this region, the Weersings finally found their special place in the southern hemisphere, within a barren chain of limestone-rich scarps at Waikari in North Canterbury. Inspiring all who came into their orbit, over another 15 years Mike and Claudia emerged as New Zealands pioneers of both biodynamic practices and high-density viticulture. Their minute scale and exceptional dedication to their soils and vines led to some incredible wines being produced.
In 2017, Mike and Claudia sold to Steve Smith MW (previously of Craggy Range) and his partner Brian Sheth in 2017. Steve described Pyramid Valley as one of the most compelling and unique vineyards he has ever visited Pyramid Valley had no shortage of suitors, and that Mike and Claudia chose to accept Smith’s offer speaks volumes. Smith’s blueprint from the outset has been to honour the Weersing’s vision and to build on the authenticity and integrity of the vineyard’s origins.
Smith brought in Huw Kinch from Martinborough’s Escarpment as Estate Manager and Winemaker. Kinch was already a huge fan, believing that Pyramid Valley’s Chardonnays were among the most profound examples he had tasted. Nick Paulin then joined from Central Otago, where he had been introduced to biodynamic viticulture under Blair Walter at Felton Road (before stints at Peregrine and Lowburn Ferry).
Since joining the team in the winter of 2018, Kinch (who lives on-site with his family) has spent much of his energy expanding the original blocks, which now extend to 6.8 hectares (still not a lot of vines). Following Mike Weersing’s original vineyard map—which he never got to complete—the new plantings are all on Pyramid Valley’s mid-slope. To add clonal complexity, the new Chardonnay cuttings have included some clone 845 (in addition to the existing Mendoza and 95). The vines are spaced at a slightly lower density of 8,000 vines per hectare to allow more cover cropping and increased soil biodiversity. Kinch is particularly excited about expanding the existing, tiny 0.4-hectare Lion’s Tooth Block.
The Pastures Collection includes the North Canterbury Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and the Central Otago Pinot Noir. The Pastures Collection seeks to articulate the genuine coolness of this unique terroir: its rocky slopes and limestone soils and, now more than ever, the passion of the local winemakers and growers willing to push the boundaries. A superb warm and dry vintage in 2020 has provided another level-up in concentration for this Pasture Collection. As a whole, the wines play out with beautiful purity in the glass, exuding both class and personality. They are true expressions of their place and reflective of the foundational philosophies of Pyramid Valley.
“Sometimes you taste a wine for the first time and it’s so fabulous, so new, so different, that you’re overwhelmed by a desire to visit the vineyard where the grapes were grown.” Max Allen, The Australian Financial Review
“Benchmark New Zealand vineyard and wines. If not a yardstick for chardonnay and pinot noir globally. No joke.” Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
About this wine: This Chardonnay is sourced from two vineyards in Waipara. The Waipara Springs vineyard was planted between 1982 and 1986 to the Mendoza clone and the Clone 5 component was sourced from the granite-rich Three Sisters Vineyard. The fruit was hand-picked, naturally fermented and aged in 20% new French oak for 12 months. It was then settled in tank and sat on its lees for a further four months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered.
It opens with powerful, savoury Burgundian aromas, framed by appealing smoky reduction. It’s equally complex on the palate where measured power meets crystalline acidity and punchy ripe fruit flavour. It’s a pristine, powerful and lithe Chardonnay, at once, both layered and detailed, with a ripple of minerality. Give it a little time and the wine settles into more poised and elegant territory, finishing with sustained drive and precision. In a blind line up, we’d have this at a considerably higher price!
93 points, Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous “A blend of three vineyards including some of the oldest Chardonnay in the country (going back to 1982), the 2020 Chardonnay North Canterbury is seductive, ripe and creamy, with smoky oak and grilled nut-like characters (25% new barrels including Mercurey). The ripe fruit quality is excellent and generous; hand-harvesting and whole-bunch pressing followed by a full year on lees has brought both purity of fruit and textural weight. There’s tension and nerve on the finish, which leaves a salty tang. A wine that has as many layers as mille-feuille.” Pristine, powerful, rippling with layers and detail..Don’t miss this top shelf Chardonnay..
RRP $60 Our Price $54.99 – LAST BOTTLES OF THIS VINTAGE.
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