Pyramid Valley Angel Flower Pinot Noir North Canterbury – 2020

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!

“Wow, wow, wow. The label depicts yarrow or angel flower – found growing wild in the vineyard. And yet, ‘angel flower’ could be a two-word descriptor for this sensational wine. Coming from a north-facing slope, with a little more clay and a little less limestone, this is an earlier ripening vineyard, and I found the nose captivating. While this is a Pinot through and through, my mind kept giving me Barbaresco flashbacks, such is the exoticism and complexity of the perfume. This wine has the definition of
an ‘aerial nose’, which might sound trite, but it almost immediately becomes part of the air above and around the glass and it seems not to fade. It grows, and you can taste it by inhaling it – this is a remarkably aromatic wine. The fruit and flower notes are captivating, and in common with the Chardonnays, the texture is epic, ethereal, super-long and refined. The acidity teases at your cheeks, and the stunning tannins rake the palate into purple and red furrows. With less than 10% new oak and all large formats
employed, this is a genuine Pyramid Valley terroir wine and one I imagine Mike would be incredibly proud of because it captures this site and his vision to perfection.”19+/20pts Matthew Jukes

“Mid crimson. Very slightly smoky, savoury, smelling tangy, of small-berried fruit. Little bit floral. Beautifully scented because the site is so cool. Much more savoury than I expected. Wild brambly fruit, fruits of the forest. Super-fine tannins. So dry. Compact texture. A long line of purity and then a feathery finish. Great persistence. More stone-dust than on the Earth Smoke. A dry stony aftertaste. A gentle touch to the tannins – almost dusty they are so finegrained. Beautifully integrated already.” 17.5/20pts Jancisrobinson.com