21 mai 2025
New - Pyramid Valley Botanicals collection
Good morning,
If you haven't heard of the Pyramid Valley wines then don't worry, I had not either until a few months ago. They are however being described by critics and those in the know, as possibly NZ's best pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The estate is based in Waikari in North Canterbury and has unique high altitude, limestone slopes, and rich soils which were identified by Mike and Claudia Weersing who founded the estate in 2000 as ideal conditions for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. In 2017 Steve Smith MW (founder of Craggy Range) and his business partner the conservationist Brion Sheth bought the property with the view of fulfilling the full potential of this unique land.
I tasted the new Botanicals collection last month and was seriously impressed. Each wine is named after the common colloquial name of the meadow plant dominant in its respective vineyard block and each wine is distinctly different. Both Chardonnays and Pinot are excellent, the altitude giving a cool and elegant style but each unique and with a sense of its own place. If your a lover of quality Pinot and Chardonnay then these are a must try.
8 cases - 6x75cl --2022 - Chardonnay, Pyramid Valley 2022 - £195/6 inc vat (£32.50/bottle)
From older vines on clay soils planted in 1990, this is a blend of plots and the 'entry' wine of the estate. Complex aromas of grilled nuts, citrus fruits, florals and a hint of lemon rind. Mouth-watering acidity drives the wine with laser focus, flavours of citrus fruits, toasted nuts and a creamy texture gives the wine body and weight. A classic North Canterbury Chardonnay that is fully ripe and saline.
3 cases - 6x75cl - 2022 - Chardonnay, Lion's Tooth, Pyramid Valley - £411.60/6 inc vat (£68.60/bottle)
The 2022 Chardonnay from the high-density Lion's Tooth parcel is an arresting wine that sucks you in but doesn’t spit you out. It’s not a wine you'll want to spit out either. This 2022 draws you in with its harmony, expansive nature, silken texture and sense of tranquility. It is subtle in its flavors - this is Chardonnay, after all – with flinty characters giving way to toasted nuts and oatmeal, lemon curd and nectarine. This is not a fruity but savory, restrained style that focused on texture over aromatics. Meditation for the mouth.
Vinous Media 96 Points
3 cases - 6x75cl - 2022 - Chardonnay, Field of Fire, Pyramid Valley - £411.60/6 inc vat (£68.60/bottle)
If the Field of Fire were a person, it wouldn't suffer fools gladly. The 2022 Chardonnay is a concentrated, direct and firm wine that knows where it's going and does so with a firm grip on your mouth. Focused, full of drive, it has sinew and sapidity. It is richly fruited - reminiscent of apricots alongside juicy lemon as well as toasted pine nuts, oats and flint. However, its quality is not in its flavors but its texture and power. Where I'm from, we say, 'Shy brains got nowt' and this isn't shy.
Vinous Media 95 Points
4 cases - 6x75cl - Pinot Noir, Pyramid Valley 2021 - £195/6 inc vat (£32.50/bottle)
Again, like the Chardonnay this is a blend of different vineyards. Deep crimson hue. Deep brooding nose of plum and blue fruits with lifted floral spicy notes. Full bodied Pinot Noir with ripe rich fruits, mouth filling texture and round plush tannins giving the wine weight and power that lingers on the palate with a savoury, moreish finish.
2 cases - 6x75cl - 2022 - Earth Smoke Pinot Noir, Pyramid Valley Vineyards -£411.60/6 inc vat (£68.60/bottle)
Having made no Earth Smoke in 2021 due to spring frosts and cool flowering ravaging the yield, it's a welcome return in 2022. Translucent, pure and delicately textured, this Pinot Noir shows a fine hand and the confidence to be hands off. The wine is calm; in the mouth, it gives the impression that a hush has descended. It is attractively scented - full of dried herbs, cherry, festive spice, violets and a hint of smoke. There's plentiful concentration without weight. The tannins are pliant, providing the finest coating for your palate. Perhaps not as long as it could be, but I'm really nitpicking here.
Vinous Media 95 Points
3 cases - 6x75cl - 2022 - Pinot Noir, Angel Flower, Pyramid Valley - £411.60/6 inc vat (£68.60/bottle)
The 2022 Pinot Noir Angel Flower makes its return after 2021 failed to deliver a crop - spring frosts and cool flowering dashed hopes early in the season. But this comeback vintage has delivered a very complete style. It's calm, collected and equivalent to a ball of silk for the mouth. Slightly riper in fruit weight compared with its sister wine, Earth Smoke, its tannins are fine and rounded, contributing to that mellow approachability even upon release. The 2022 is pure and broody, with dried herbs and subtle cedar notes lingering on the finish.
Vinous Media 94 Points
3 cases - 6x75cl - 2022 - Pinot Noir, Snakes Tongue, Pyramid Valley - £411.60/6 inc vat (£68.60/bottle)
Fragrant and floral with smoke, cranberries, and spices such as white pepper. It starts off slowly and builds with dried strawberries, light caramel, cloves and dried flowers. Firm tannins, yet they open in your mouth and caress your palate. Very, very classy. Pure Abel clone. Goes on and on. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 98/100 James Suckling
All the best,
James