Pyramid Valley Chardonnay North Canterbury – 2021

Pyramid Valley are probably New Zealand’s most exciting “newcomers” of the past few years, making some of the most impressive Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays outside Burgundy. Situated about 50kms north of Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island, their cool climate, high altitude vineyards are based on a mix of clay and limestone soils. The vineyards were planted in 2000 and have been cultivated biodynamically ever since. In 2017 the winery was sold to Steve Smith MW, one of New Zealand’s most accomplished winemakers and formerly the head winemaker at Craggy Range. At 20+ years of age, the vines are now beginning to show their true potential. These are fantastic, single site, terroir-expressive wines and seriously good value alternatives to Burgundy!

“The 2021 North Canterbury Chardonnay is golden in the glass, and the wine in the mouth is rich and exotic, with lashings of yellow peach that are tempered by preserved citrus and savory phenolics. There’s beeswax, lanolin, cold buttered toast, hints of honeysuckle and brine. This is a voluptuous wine, quite different from the 2022 tasted alongside. A small crop in combination with a warm summer has led to this experience in the glass. “[2021 was] ripe and rich with a lot of intensity,” says Steve Smith, MW. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.” 93+/100pts Wine Advocate